be supposed to and should

Question

What's the difference between 'be supposed to' and 'should'?Thanks

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

be supposed to ~ be required to (You are supposed to stop at a "Stop" sign.)
should ~ be advised to (You should send your mother a card on Mother's Day.)

'be supposed to' is not quite as strong as 'have to'.

The doctor says I'm supposed to lose weight, but I can't resist this chocolate cake. I'll go on a diet tomorrow.
The doctor says I have to take this medicine or I could have a heart attack and die within two weeks.

You should always do what you are supposed to do, but not everyone always does.
~ It is a good idea (It is advisable) to do what you are required to do, but not everyone does.

On the other hand, there are things you should do of which you can't say that you are supposed to do them, for example, sending your mother a card on Mother's Day.

CJ

LouiST · Answer

Thanks.
Actually clear, but hard to use it correctly while speaking freely (speak freely - does this even exist? haha)

Another question:
Is it: You are supposed to be sitting in class now.
or: You are supposed to sit in class now.
I guess the first one:)

And one more thing:
If you were talking to someone, would you rather say:
I haven't done my homework yet. or I haven't yet done my homework.
?

Thanks!!

P.S.: I'm now officially in the states haha!:D

CalifJim · Answer

louiSTAnother question:Is it: You are supposed to be sitting in class now.or: You are supposed to sit in class now.

Don't even mention sitting.

You're supposed to be in class now.

(It's be sittingif you insist, but that's not very idiomatic.)

louiSTIf you were talking to someone, would you rather say:I haven't done my homework yet. or I haven't yet done my homework.

The first one. Normally it's a negative sentence with 'yet' at the end.

louiSTI'm now officially in the states

Then let me officially welcome you!

Have you been here long?

CJ

LouiST · Answer

Thanks!!:D
I've been here for about one week, but I haven't met my host family yet, since I'm at camp now in Boston and will be in CA in about 4 days:)

Haha and I got one more thing:
I'm often unsure which to use:
If I am telling someone a story, which one do I use?
For example: After having flown 8 hours, we finally got to Boston. or: After flying 8 hours, we finally got to boston.
Same here: After having visited Harvard, we went to the Harvard Shop. or: After visiting Harvard, we went to the Harvard Shop.

Thanks in advance.
Louis

CalifJim · Answer

louiSTIf I am telling someone a story, which one do I use?

In conversation, use the shorter one. Save all those "having flown"s and "having visited"s for formal writing.

________

By the way, I forgot to mention -- even though be supposed to is like be required to, the negative works differently.

not be supposed to does not mean not be required to. It means be required not to.

You are not supposed to enter that room. ~ You are required not to enter that room. ~ You must not enter that room.

But maybe you knew that already.

CJ

LouiST · Answer

Thanks

I don't know if I had know it. But now I definitely do, haha.

Another question (Haha sorry!!):
There's a song and its lyrics goes like: I wish I knew you before.
Wouldn't 'I wish I had know you before' make more sense?
I wish I knew -> present
I wish I had known -> past
Am I right or do I get it wrong?

Thanks.

CalifJim · Answer

louiSTWouldn't 'I wish I had known you before' make more sense?

Yes, but don't depend on song lyrics to have correct grammar!

CJ

LouiST · Answer

Yep, I was just wondering.

Then (I know I keep asking haha):
Can I say: It's not worth it paying 2'000$ yet. (I want to say that it is not worth it yet that I paid 2'000$.)
And the last thing: Is 'I don't feel like going to class' correct?
Thanks
Louis

CalifJim · Answer

louiSTCan I say: It's not worth it paying 2'000$ yet. (I want to say that it is not worth it yet that I paid 2'000$.)

No. Please note how U.S. money is written: $2,000. Or $2000. Not 2'000$.

It's not worth $2,000 yet.

louiST'I don't feel like going to class

Correct.

CJ

LouiST · Answer

Thanks! My English still sucks

What's the difference between 'though' and 'nevertheless'?
LS:)

be supposed to and should

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