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 — 形容詞

  • 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

應該

按規定或預期應做某事

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.

晚上九點以前，孩子們上學日就應該上床睡覺了。

be supposed to + infinitive (obligation by rule)

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

考試時不應該使用手機。

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

預定；旨在

設計上預期具有某種功能或結果

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.

這個按鈕本來是要打開大門的，但已經好幾個星期都打不開了。

be supposed to + infinitive (intended function vs reality)

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

這種新藥的設計目的是幫助病人入睡，而且沒有副作用。

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

所謂的

外界聲稱但說話者懷疑的

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.

那位所謂的專家連聽眾提出的一個簡單問題都答不出來。

prenominal: supposed + noun (doubt about claimed identity)

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

Niran 花了一大筆錢買了一種號稱能治背痛的藥，結果一點用都沒有。

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.