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WhereInSussex Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
How was I [supposed] to know?
Simple question, as a native speaker of English (from England) I can usually answer questions from a Finnish friend of mine; but this one has stumped me a bit.
"How was I to know that the dishwasher was faulty before I loaded it"
vs
"How was I supposed to know that....."
I've been asked what the difference between the two is, and all I can think is that I'd not wince at either being used; let alone come up with a rule about the usage. So is it just a case that they both have equal status, with the "supposed" in this instance not strictly being required, do they have subtly different meanings or is one actually wrong?
"How was I to know that the dishwasher was faulty before I loaded it"
vs
"How was I supposed to know that....."
I've been asked what the difference between the two is, and all I can think is that I'd not wince at either being used; let alone come up with a rule about the usage. So is it just a case that they both have equal status, with the "supposed" in this instance not strictly being required, do they have subtly different meanings or is one actually wrong?
Top answer
Welcome to the forum, WhereinSussex. Thank you for registering. I feel no significant difference between the two.
- Welcome to the forum, WhereinSussex.
- Thank you for registering.
- I feel no significant difference between the two.
- Both are correct and natural.
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2 Answers
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Welcome to the forum, WhereinSussex. Thank you for registering.
I feel no significant difference between the two. Both are correct and natural.
I feel no significant difference between the two. Both are correct and natural.
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