supposing

supposing — 動詞

IPA/səˈpəʊz/
KK[səpˈozɪŋ]IPA/səˈpoʊz/
  • supposingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • supposings3rd person singular
  • supposinging-ing form
  • supposingedpast simple

1. to believe that something is probably true or will probably happen, even when yo

1.動詞及物A2
釋義

認為；猜想

覺得某事很可能為真

to believe that something is probably true or will probably happen, even when you do not have definite proof.

例句

I suppose the parcel will arrive by Friday, but I cannot be certain.

我猜想包裹星期五前會到，但我不太確定。

suppose + that-clause for tentative belief

Minh supposed that Lan had already left for work, since all the lights were off.

Minh 猜想 Lan 已經出門上班了，因為所有燈都是關著的。

同義詞
  • assume

    stronger; treating something as true without proof

  • presume

    more formal; based on probability rather than evidence

  • guess

    less formal; a quick opinion without much thought

反義詞
  • know

    certainty based on facts, not opinion

文法句型

suppose + that-clause

用法筆記

Often used without a strong commitment to the truth of what is being stated. Compare with 'know,' which expresses certainty.

常見錯誤

❌I suppose he is arriving tomorrow, but I know for fact.
✅I suppose he is arriving tomorrow, but I am not certain.
💡'suppose' implies a guess, not a known fact.

2. used to admit that something is possibly true or acceptable, although you are no

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

姑且認為

不情願地承認可能屬實

used to admit that something is possibly true or acceptable, although you are not happy about it or would prefer something else.

例句

'Is the exam going to be difficult?' 'I suppose so, but we have studied enough.'

「考試會很難嗎？」「我想是吧，但我們已經讀得夠多了。」

short response: I suppose so

Tariq sighed and said, 'I suppose you are right about the budget cuts.'

Tariq 嘆了口氣說：「我想你說得對，預算確實要刪減。」

同義詞
  • I guess

    more common in American English; less formal

  • I imagine

    slightly more formal, less reluctant in tone

文法句型

I suppose so

I suppose not

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the fixed short forms 'I suppose so' (reluctant yes) and 'I suppose not' (reluctant no). The tone is often one of giving in after some resistance.

常見錯誤

❌I suppose yes.
✅I suppose so.
💡'so' is the fixed form, not 'yes.'

3. said when a remark someone has made makes you feel irritated or insulted, and yo

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

難道說

對他人言詞表示不滿或惱怒

said when a remark someone has made makes you feel irritated or insulted, and you want them to explain what they meant.

例句

When her colleague called the proposal 'brave,' Sayaka asked sharply, 'What is that supposed to mean?'

當同事說那個提案「很大膽」時，Sayaka 尖銳地問：「那是什麼意思？」

fixed expression: What is that supposed to mean?

'You call this tidy?' Ilan pointed at the desk. 'What is that supposed to mean?' his roommate snapped.

「你管這叫整齊？」Ilan 指著書桌說。「那是什麼意思？」他的室友沒好氣地說。

同義詞

文法句型

What is/was that supposed to mean?

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used in the fixed interrogative expression 'What is/was that supposed to mean?' The phrase signals that the speaker finds the previous remark insulting, confusing, or unfairly critical.

常見錯誤

❌What are you supposed to mean?
✅What is that supposed to mean?
💡the subject is 'that' (the remark), not 'you' (the person).

4. used to show that you accept a point or opinion, but only because you cannot arg

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

算是吧

勉強同意對方的觀點

used to show that you accept a point or opinion, but only because you cannot argue against it, not because you truly agree.

例句

'The museum closes at five, so we should leave soon.' 'I suppose we must,' Anna said, putting on her coat.

「博物館五點關門，我們應該快點走了。」「好吧，只能走了，」Anna 邊說邊穿上外套。

I suppose + reluctant acceptance

Tendai admitted, 'I suppose the cheaper option makes more sense for now.'

Tendai 承認：「我想便宜的選擇目前確實比較合理。」

同義詞
  • I concede

    more formal; used in arguments or debates

反義詞

文法句型

I suppose + [statement you reluctantly accept]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2: sense 4 involves agreeing to a factual claim or opinion you find hard to deny, whereas sense 2 is a softer admission that something could be true. Sense 4 often carries a defensive or grudging tone.

常見錯誤

❌I suppose I agree with everything you said.
✅I suppose you have a point.
💡the construction pairs 'I suppose' with the other person's claim, not with your own full agreement.

5. used to make a request or suggestion sound very polite and not demanding, often

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

冒昧請問

禮貌提出請求或提議

used to make a request or suggestion sound very polite and not demanding, often by framing it as a hesitant question.

例句

I don't suppose you could help me move this heavy table into the next room?

不知道你能不能幫我把這張沉重的桌子搬到隔壁房間？

polite request: I don't suppose you could...

Gabriel said, 'I suppose I could pick up some groceries on my way home, if that helps anyone.'

Gabriel 說：「我想我回家路上可以順便買些雜貨，如果有人需要的話。」

同義詞

文法句型

I don't suppose + [you could] + [verb]

I suppose + [offer/hesitant offer]

用法筆記

The pattern 'I don't suppose you could…?' is a very polite way of asking for help, because it assumes the answer might be no, making it easy for the other person to refuse. When offering help, 'I suppose I could…' sounds hesitant and considerate.

常見錯誤

❌I don't suppose you can help me?' (expecting yes).
✅I don't suppose you could help me?
💡the past modal 'could' makes the request more polite and tentative.

6. used to say what someone should do because of a rule, a duty, an arrangement, or

6.動詞不及物A2
釋義

應該

按規定或預期應做的事

used to say what someone should do because of a rule, a duty, an arrangement, or what is normally done.

例句

Lan is supposed to submit the report by five o'clock this evening.

Lan 應該在今天下午五點前提交報告。

be supposed to + infinitive for obligation

These tablets are supposed to be taken with food, according to the instructions on the bottle.

根據瓶子上的說明，這些藥片應該隨餐服用。

同義詞
  • be expected to

    slightly more formal, similar meaning

  • should

    shorter and more direct; less emphasis on external rules

  • be meant to

    more informal, often about purpose rather than rules

反義詞

文法句型

be supposed to + infinitive

用法筆記

Sense 6 always appears in the passive form 'be supposed to' (NOT 'suppose to'). This is a fixed expression distinct from the active verb 'suppose.' Common in negative forms ('not supposed to' = not allowed to).

常見錯誤

❌You are suppose to arrive on time.
✅You are supposed to arrive on time.
💡the past participle 'supposed' is required after 'be.'

supposing — 連接詞

IPA/səˈpəʊzɪŋ/
KK[səpˈozɪŋ]IPA/səˈpəʊzɪŋ/