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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
am supposed vs. was supposed
A. I am supposed to meet you later, but I don't think I can make it so I'm cancelling it.
B. I was supposed to meet you later, but I don't think I can make it so I'm cancelling it.
1. Which of the above is correct given the context? Please explain.
2. Should I say "am supposed" because the meeting hasn't taken place yet?
3. Or should I say "was supposed" because the meeting will no longer be relevant because I'm cancelling it?
B. I was supposed to meet you later, but I don't think I can make it so I'm cancelling it.
1. Which of the above is correct given the context? Please explain.
2. Should I say "am supposed" because the meeting hasn't taken place yet?
3. Or should I say "was supposed" because the meeting will no longer be relevant because I'm cancelling it?
Top answer
1. Both are 'correct'. 2.
- 1.
- Both are 'correct'.
- 2.
- You may.
- 3.
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7 Answers
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Thank you for your helpful response. I see both are correct.
If it were you as a native speaker, which tense would you quickly say or naturally use in the situation without thinking?
If it were you as a native speaker, which tense would you quickly say or naturally use in the situation without thinking?
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Mister Micawber2. You may.3. You could.Just a question on the side, is there any difference in meaning between "You may." and "You could."?
If none, would you say they can be used interchangeably in the same sense that you answered questions 2 and 3?
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Hi,
1. Both are fine, but in this context B is the native choice, I think.
2. Not necessarily. I would use was in this case.
3. This line of reasoning makes sense. To be supposed to do something usually means to be expected to
do something.
Note: I would add a comma after so (...I can make it, so I'm...).
Regard
1. Both are fine, but in this context B is the native choice, I think.
2. Not necessarily. I would use was in this case.
3. This line of reasoning makes sense. To be supposed to do something usually means to be expected to
do something.
Note: I would add a comma after so (...I can make it, so I'm...).
Regard
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AnonymousIf it were you as a native speaker, which tense would you quickly say or naturally use in the situation without thinking?was supposed to.
I consider it "the past of politeness".
CJ
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Thank you, Regards and CJ. Your were really helpful.
RegardsTo be supposed to do something usually means to be expected to do something.I see "was supposed to" is the native choice. However, with regard to the literal meaning of the phrase, it looks like the listener at the time of listening is still expecting the speaker to meet him. This would have made me
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I was supposed to be among the officers recently promoted or I am supposed to be among the officers recently promoted. Which one is correct?
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