supposed

/səˈpəʊzd/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈpəʊzd/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈpōzd senses 1b and 2a usually sə-ˈpō-zəd senses 3 and 4 often sə-ˈpōst/ (ame, mw)

supposed — adjective

  • supposedpositive
  • more supposedcomparative
  • most supposedsuperlative

1. used to say that, according to a rule, an agreement, or what people expect, some

1.形容詞A2
釋義

used to say that, according to a rule, an agreement, or what people expect, someone should or must do something — often used when the person may not actually do it.

例句

Before nine o'clock, the children are supposed to be in bed on school nights.

be supposed to + infinitive (obligation by rule)

You are not supposed to use your phone during the test.

negative: be not supposed to (prohibition)

同義詞
  • required

    more formal and stronger; implies a clear rule or command

  • expected

    similar in strength; focuses on what others believe you will do

  • meant to

    less formal; common in everyday speech

反義詞

文法句型

be supposed to + infinitive

用法筆記

The verb 'be' is required before 'supposed to'. This construction is weaker than 'must' (more like an expectation than a firm order) and stronger than 'should' (more like a rule than a suggestion). The negative form 'not supposed to' means 'not allowed to'.

常見錯誤

❌I supposed to go to school yesterday.
✅I was supposed to go to school yesterday.
💡The verb 'be' (am/is/are/was/were) must always come before 'supposed to'.
❌You are suppose to wait here.
✅You are supposed to wait here.
💡The '-d' at the end of 'supposed' is never dropped, even though it sounds like 'suppose' in fast speech.

2. used to describe the function or purpose that something was designed or expected

2.形容詞B1
釋義

used to describe the function or purpose that something was designed or expected to have, especially when the real result is different from what was planned.

例句

This button is supposed to open the gate, but it has not worked for weeks.

be supposed to + infinitive (intended function vs reality)

The new medicine is supposed to help people sleep without any side effects.

同義詞
  • intended

    more formal; focuses on the original design or plan

  • meant

    very similar; the most common alternative in everyday speech

  • designed

    emphasizes that the purpose was built into the thing on purpose

反義詞

文法句型

be supposed to + infinitive

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (DUTY): this sense focuses on design, purpose, or expected outcome rather than obligation. If you say 'the machine is supposed to print labels', you describe its intended function — not a duty. The contrast between expectation and reality is often made explicit with 'but'.

常見錯誤

❌ 'He is supposed to be an engineer.' (when meaning he is believed to be — use sense 3 instead). — This sentence is ambiguous between 'expected to become' (sense 2) and 'allegedly is' (sense 3). Add context to make the meaning clear.

3. described or believed by a lot of people as being a particular kind of person or

3.形容詞B2
釋義

described or believed by a lot of people as being a particular kind of person or thing, when the speaker doubts or does not accept that this is true — used before a noun.

例句

The supposed expert could not answer a single question from the audience.

prenominal: supposed + noun (doubt about claimed identity)

Niran spent a lot on a supposed cure for back pain that did nothing.

同義詞
  • alleged

    more formal; often used in legal or news contexts

  • so-called

    informal; strongly expresses the speaker's dismissal

  • reputed

    less common; implies general belief without the speaker's strong doubt

  • would-be

    used for people trying to be something they are not

反義詞
  • genuine

    real and authentic, not claimed or pretended

  • proven

    shown to be true with evidence

  • actual

    real, as opposed to what people claim

文法句型

supposed + noun

用法筆記

Pronunciation differs from senses 1 and 2. Here 'supposed' is pronounced /səˈpoʊzɪd/ (three syllables: sup-po-zed). In 'be supposed to' (senses 1 & 2), it is pronounced /səˈpoʊst/ (two syllables: sup-post). This sense always appears directly before a noun, never in 'be supposed to' construction.

常見錯誤

❌The expert is supposed.
✅The supposed expert could not help.
💡'Supposed' in this sense cannot stand alone after a verb; it must be placed directly before the noun it describes.

❌ Using 'supposed' in this sense without expressing doubt. The word carries the speaker's disbelief — do not use it for claims you agree with.