Supposed to vs. Suppose to – Which is Correct?
The correct phrase is supposed to, meaning “expected to” or “obligated to.” Suppose to is a common grammatical error, often arising from phonetic confusion where the ‘d’ sound at the end of “supposed” is dropped or unheard. Always use “supposed to” when expressing an expectation, duty, or general belief.
Supposed to or Suppose to – Which is Correct?
Between “supposed to” and “suppose to,” the only grammatically correct option in standard English is supposed to. The confusion often stems from the similar sound of the two phrases in casual speech, where the ‘d’ at the end of “supposed” can be softened or dropped. However, grammatically, “supposed” is the past participle form of the verb “suppose,” and it is this form that is used in the fixed idiom meaning “expected to” or “obligated to.”
The root cause of this common error is primarily phonetic. When spoken quickly, “supposed to” can sound like “suppose to,” leading many writers to incorrectly omit the “-d.” It’s crucial to remember that “supposed to” functions as a single idiomatic unit, and altering it changes its meaning or renders it ungrammatical.
| Word | Grammatical Status | Meaning / Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supposed to | Correct (Idiomatic phrase) | Expected to, obligated to, generally believed to be | You are supposed to finish your homework before dinner. |
| Suppose to | Incorrect (Common error) | Grammatically incorrect when used to mean “expected to” or “obligated to” | I suppose to meet them at 3 PM. (Incorrect) |
How to Use Supposed to
The phrase “supposed to” is a versatile idiom used to express several related concepts:
- Obligation or Duty: It indicates something that is required or expected of someone.
- Expectation or Intention: It refers to what is planned, anticipated, or meant to happen.
- General Belief or Rumor: It can convey what is widely believed or rumored, often implying a degree of uncertainty.
- What is Allowed or Customary: It can describe rules or established norms.
It always follows a form of the verb “to be” (e.g., am, is, are, was, were, been). The tone is generally neutral, but it can sometimes carry a nuance of mild reproach if an expectation has not been met.
Example 1 (Obligation): You are supposed to wear a helmet when riding a bike.
Example 2 (Expectation): The package was supposed to arrive yesterday, but it’s delayed.
Example 3 (General Belief): He’s supposed to be one of the best doctors in the city.
What are the different forms of Supposed to?
“Supposed to” is a fixed idiomatic phrase, meaning the “supposed to” part itself does not change. The variations occur in the auxiliary verb “to be” that precedes it, which conjugates according to the subject and tense.
- Present Tense: I am supposed to, You are supposed to, He/She/It is supposed to, We are supposed to, They are supposed to.
- Past Tense: I was supposed to, You were supposed to, He/She/It was supposed to, We were supposed to, They were supposed to.
- Future Tense (with ‘will’): I will be supposed to (less common, often replaced by “will have to” or “should”).
- Perfect Tenses: I have been supposed to, I had been supposed to.
The core “supposed to” remains constant.
Etymology of the word Supposed to
The word “suppose” comes from Old French “supposer,” which in turn derived from the Latin “supponere,” meaning “to put under” or “to assume.” Over time, “suppose” evolved to mean “to imagine,” “to believe,” or “to assume something to be true.”
The phrase “supposed to” emerged as an idiom in English around the 17th century, where the past participle “supposed” combined with “to” and an infinitive verb to convey a sense of obligation, expectation, or general belief, distinct from the base verb “suppose.” It signifies what is “put forward” or “assumed” as a requirement or an anticipated event.
Related Concepts
Understanding “supposed to” correctly involves grasping the concept of fixed idioms and the proper use of past participles. “Supposed to” is a phrasal idiom, meaning its meaning is not always derivable from the individual words. It functions as a single unit with a specific meaning.
Another important concept is the distinction between the base form of a verb and its past participle. “Suppose” is a base verb (e.g., “I suppose you’re right”). “Supposed” is the past participle (e.g., “He was supposed to go”). In many verbs, the past participle ends in “-ed” (like “walked,” “finished”), and it’s essential not to drop this ending when it’s part of a fixed phrase or when forming passive voice or perfect tenses. The confusion with “supposed to” highlights the importance of recognizing the “-ed” ending not just as a past tense marker, but also as a component of the past participle, which has different grammatical functions.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “You’re supposed to be the best. Are you the best?” – From the movie Pulp Fiction
- “I was supposed to be done with this by now, but I got sidetracked.” – Common conversational use
- “The train is supposed to depart at 9:00 AM, according to the schedule.” – News report or travel information
- “She knew she was supposed to feel sad, but all she felt was numb.” – From a novel exploring emotions
- “What am I supposed to do with all these extra parts?” – A frustrated character in a play
Supposed to Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Expected to | Anticipated or predicted to do something. |
| Ought to | Used to express duty, advisability, or moral obligation. |
| Meant to | Intended to, designed for a specific purpose or action. |
| Required to | Obligated by rule, law, or necessity. |
| Should | Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, often a milder form than “must.” |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why do people commonly say “suppose to” instead of “supposed to”?
The primary reason is phonetic. In rapid or casual speech, the ‘d’ sound at the end of “supposed” can be elided or dropped, making it sound like “suppose to.” This auditory similarity leads to the common spelling and grammatical error.
Question 2: Can the word “suppose” ever be followed by “to”?
Yes, but not in the idiomatic sense of “expected to” or “obligated to.” The verb “suppose” (meaning “to assume” or “to guess”) can be followed by an infinitive with “to” in constructions like “I suppose him to be honest,” though this is quite formal and less common than “I suppose that he is honest.” However, this usage is distinct from the fixed phrase “supposed to.”
Question 3: Is “suppose to” ever grammatically correct in any context?
No, when intending to convey expectation, obligation, or general belief, “suppose to” is always incorrect. The correct idiom requires the past participle “supposed.” The phrase “suppose to” does not exist as a standard grammatical construction in English with that meaning.
Conclusion
In summary, the distinction between “supposed to” and “suppose to” is clear: supposed to is the correct and only grammatically acceptable form when expressing obligation, expectation, or general belief. “Suppose to” is a common error, often a result of phonetic confusion. Remembering the “-ed” ending is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.
Pro Tip: Always proofread your work carefully. Misusing common phrases like “supposed to” can detract from your credibility and make your writing appear less professional. A quick mental check for the “-ed” can save you from a common grammatical pitfall.
