grammar · neutral

be supposed to + base verb

Band 7+speakingtask2

used to say that something is expected, required, or planned

Examples

“You are supposed to wear a uniform at that school.”

“The train was supposed to arrive at noon.”

“I'm supposed to meet her at 3 pm.”

Band 8 sentence

“Students are supposed to submit their proposals by the end of the term, or they risk failing the module.”

Collocations

  • be supposed to + V
  • be supposed to do something by law/rules

Word family

be supposed to + V phrasesupposed to be + V-ing phrase

Common mistakes

I supposed to meet him at 3.→I am supposed to meet him at 3.

He is supposed meet us.→He is supposed to meet us.

Say it for a higher band

5have to→6expected to→7+be supposed to + base verb

Synonyms

be expected to + V

Easily confused

be expected to + V

“Employees are expected to follow the code of conduct.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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