suppose
/səˈpəʊz/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈpəʊz/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈpōz usually after "I" ˈspōz/ (ame, mw) · /səˈpoʊz/ (ame, ipa)
suppose — 動詞
- supposepresent simple I / you / we / they
- supposeshe / she / it
- supposedpast simple
- supposing-ing form
1. to have an opinion that something is probably true or will happen, based on the
認為；猜想
根據線索推測某事很可能為真
to have an opinion that something is probably true or will happen, based on the information available but without full certainty
Anong supposed the train would arrive on time, but it was delayed by an hour.
Anong 原本猜想火車會準時抵達，但卻誤點了一個小時。
suppose + that-clause for an assumption
The scientists supposed the data was accurate enough to publish.
科學家們推測這筆數據的精確度足以發表。
passive: be supposed to be [adjective]
I suppose you already heard the news about the election results.
我猜想你已經聽說選舉結果了。
Most people suppose she left the company because of the low salary.
大多數人認為她離職是因為薪水太低。
Heather supposed her keys were in her bag, but she could not find them.
Heather 猜想鑰匙在包包裡，卻找不到。
- know
to be certain of something through proof or experience
文法句型
suppose + that-clause
suppose + so
用法筆記
The passive construction 'be supposed to' has a separate meaning related to obligation or expectation (e.g. 'You are supposed to wear a helmet'). Do not confuse it with this active sense.
常見錯誤
2. used to say that you accept something as true or unavoidable, even though you wi
無奈承認
雖不情願但接受事實
used to say that you accept something as true or unavoidable, even though you wish it were not so
Jabari supposed they would have to accept that the project had failed.
Jabari 心裡明白他們將不得不接受這個專案失敗的事實。
third person: supposed + would have to
Eli supposed they would need to sell the house after all.
Eli 知道他們終究還是得把房子賣掉。
'I suppose the trip will be cancelled now,' said Sana with a sigh.
Sana 嘆了一口氣說：『我看這趟旅行現在要取消了。』
After looking at the medical bills, Layla supposed they would have to sell the car.
Layla 看了醫藥費帳單後，心裡明白他們不得不把車賣掉。
The neighbours supposed the old cafe would close eventually, and it did.
鄰居們早就料到那家老咖啡店終究會倒閉，而它也真的關門了。
文法句型
I suppose + that-clause (reluctant)
subject + supposed + would/could
用法筆記
Common in first-person 'I suppose...' to soften an unpleasant admission. The tone is reluctant rather than neutral. In third person, the reluctance is often conveyed through context such as 'after all' or 'would have to'.
3. used to express anger or irritation, especially by suggesting that someone belie
難道
表示惱怒或不滿的反問
used to express anger or irritation, especially by suggesting that someone believes something unreasonable
I suppose you think you are too good to help with the dishes.
難道你覺得自己好到不需要幫忙洗碗？
rhetorical: I suppose you think…
'So I suppose you expect me to work late without extra pay,' Esteban told his boss.
Esteban 對老闆說：「所以你指望我加班到很晚，卻沒有加班費？」
clause-initial So I suppose you expect…
'I suppose I should thank you for spilling coffee on my shirt,' Élise muttered.
Élise 低聲說：『難道我還要謝謝你把咖啡潑在我的襯衫上？』
'I suppose you were too busy to return my calls all week,' Hoa told her roommate.
Hoa 對室友說：「想必你整個星期都忙到沒空回我電話吧？」
'I suppose you expect me to do everything around here,' Camille said, eyeing the dirty kitchen.
Camille 看著骯髒的廚房說：「難道你指望我一個人打理這裡所有的事？」
- I gather
less confrontational — implies deduction rather than annoyance
文法句型
I suppose + you + think/expect (rhetorical)
用法筆記
Always in first person 'I suppose...' and followed by a rhetorical claim that the speaker finds unreasonable. The tone is sarcastic or confrontational — never neutral. Common in spoken arguments.
常見錯誤
4. used to show that you accept someone else's idea or point of view, even though y
好吧
勉強同意但非完全認同
used to show that you accept someone else's idea or point of view, even though you are not completely convinced or happy about it
'Maybe you are right,' said Anong. 'I suppose so,' replied Caleb.
「也許你是對的，」Anong 說。「好吧，算是吧，」Caleb 回答。
short response: I suppose so
I suppose the cheaper option makes more sense with our budget.
好吧，便宜的選擇以我們的預算來說確實比較合理。
'The early flight is safer,' said Jabari. 'I suppose you are right,' Hui answered.
「早班飛機比較安全，」Jabari 說。「你說得對，」Hui 回答。
Felipe admitted, 'I suppose it would be unfair to blame her for the mistake.'
Felipe 承認道：「我想把過錯怪到她頭上確實不太公平。」
After a long pause, Tendai said, 'I suppose the plan could work.'
沉默了好一會兒，Tendai 說：「好吧，這個計劃也許可行。」
- deny
to state that something is not true
文法句型
I suppose so
I suppose + clause (reluctant agreement)
用法筆記
Often appears as the short response 'I suppose so' or 'I suppose you are right.' Unlike sense 2 (UNWELCOME TRUTH), the focus here is on conceding a point in an argument, not on reluctantly facing an unpleasant fact.
5. used to make a suggestion or request less direct and therefore more polite
不如
委婉提出建議或請求
used to make a suggestion or request less direct and therefore more polite
I suppose we could take a short break now and finish later.
我們不如先休息一下，等會兒再繼續。
I suppose we could (polite suggestion)
I suppose you could help me carry these boxes upstairs.
或許你可以幫我把這些箱子搬上樓。
I suppose you could (polite request)
Suppose I give you a ride to the station this evening.
不如我今晚開車送你去車站。
'I suppose we should check the weather before leaving for Kenting,' said Matthew.
Matthew 說：「去墾丁之前我們先看一下天氣吧。」
I suppose we should ask the manager before making a final decision.
我們不妨先問過經理再做最後決定。
- perhaps
adverb used to soften suggestions; not a verb but serves a similar polite function
- maybe we could
more casual and slightly less tentative
文法句型
I suppose we could…
Suppose I/we… (direct polite offer)
I suppose you could…
用法筆記
The structure 'Suppose I/we…' (without 'I' before 'suppose') functions as a direct polite suggestion. The full 'I suppose we could…' form is softer and more hesitant. Both are common in British English for polite requests.
常見錯誤
6. to require a particular situation or fact to be true as a necessary basis for so
預設
需要某條件成立事物才能合理
to require a particular situation or fact to be true as a necessary basis for something else to make sense or work properly
The plan supposes that everyone will agree to work on Sunday.
這個計劃預設每個人都同意週日上班。
abstract subject: The plan supposes that…
This recipe supposes you have a food processor at home.
這個食譜預設你家裡有食物調理機。
Imani's marketing model supposes customer loyalty that does not yet exist in this market.
Imani 的行銷模型預設了一種實際上還沒出現的客戶忠誠度。
The budget supposes we will get the grant money by March.
這份預算預設我們三月前能拿到補助金。
The game supposes at least four players to be enjoyable.
這個遊戲至少需要四個人玩才有趣。
- presuppose
more formal and technical; implies a logical or philosophical precondition
- require
more general — can apply to people, things, or conditions
- take for granted
more informal — assuming something without checking
文法句型
plan / theory / budget / rule supposes that…
用法筆記
Unlike the other senses, the subject here is always an abstract thing (plan, theory, budget, system) — never a person. This sense is formal and common in academic, technical, and business contexts.
常見錯誤
suppose — 連接詞
1. placed at the start of a statement to present a hypothetical scenario and consid
假設
提出假設情況反問結果
placed at the start of a statement to present a hypothetical scenario and consider what the outcome or appropriate action might be
Suppose it rains on the day of the wedding — what should we do then?
假設婚禮當天下雨，我們該怎麼辦？
Suppose + clause + question
Suppose we miss the last bus home tonight after the concert.
假設我們今晚聽完音樂會後錯過了最後一班公車。
Suppose the airline loses your luggage during a long trip.
假設航空公司在你長途旅行途中弄丟了你的行李。
Suppose the meeting runs late and Tendai misses the submission deadline.
假設會議開太晚，Tendai 錯過了提交截止日期。
Suppose Hui decides to study abroad instead of staying here.
假設 Hui 決定出國留學而不是留在這裡。
文法句型
Suppose + clause, (main clause / question)
用法筆記
Placed at the very beginning of a sentence or independent clause. The main clause often asks a question about the consequences, but it can also simply state the hypothetical scenario and let the listener imagine the result.