(a)
The game is supposed to begin at
10:00.
(b)
The committee is supposed to put away
their toys before they go to bed.
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Be supposed to expresses the idea
that someone (I, we they, the teacher, lots of people, my father, etc.)
expects something to happen. Be supposed to often expresses
expectations about scheduled events, as in (a), or correct procedures, as in
(b).
|
(c)
I am supposed to go to the
meeting. My boss told me that he wants me to attend.
(d)
The children are supposed to put away their
toys before they go to bed.
|
Be supposed to also expresses expectations
about behavior.
In (c) and (d): be supposed to gives
the idea that someone else expects (requests or requires) certain behavior.
|
(e)
Jack was supposed to call me last
night. I wonder why he didn’t.
|
Be supposed to in the past
(was/were supposed to) expresses unfulfilled expectations. In (e): The
speaker expected Jack to call, but he didn’t.
|
Friday, 21 October 2011
Expectations: Be Supposed To
Labels:
English Grammar
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