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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
English in UK
Supposed vs Meant
In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed to be..." The superior questioned the word "supposed" and the subordinate amended it to "meant to be..." I've checked a number of sources on the internet trying to determine whether this is a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success.
Comments?
Comments?
Top answer
[nq:1]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed ... a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success. [/nq] A bit more context would be nice.
- [nq:1]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed ...
- a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success.
- [/nq] A bit more context would be nice.
- I think I can detect a nuance of difference, but it would depend very much on the context.
- Regards, Einde O'Callaghan
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4 Answers
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[nq:1]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed ... a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success. Comments?[/nq]
A bit more context would be nice.
I think I can detect a nuance of difference, but it would depend very much on the context.
Regards, Einde O
A bit more context would be nice.
I think I can detect a nuance of difference, but it would depend very much on the context.
Regards, Einde O
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At 05:22:13 on Fri, 22 Oct 2004, Larry Cooper (Email Removed) wrote in :
[nq:1]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed ... is a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success.[/nq]
I suppose that the difference could be interpreted as "Others imagined him to
[nq:1]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of the Circus reported to a superior that someone was "supposed ... is a legitimate point of grammar or perhaps simply another British English vs American English issue, but with no success.[/nq]
I suppose that the difference could be interpreted as "Others imagined him to
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[nq:2]In a novel by John le Carre' a member of ... British English vs American English issue, but with no success.[/nq]
[nq:1]I suppose that the difference could be interpreted as "Others imagined him to be" vs. "He intended to be" or "He ought to have been". However, I don't think I've ever come across any clear distinction of usage.[/nq]
My own interpretation was that "supposed to be" w
[nq:1]I suppose that the difference could be interpreted as "Others imagined him to be" vs. "He intended to be" or "He ought to have been". However, I don't think I've ever come across any clear distinction of usage.[/nq]
My own interpretation was that "supposed to be" w
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[nq:1]My own interpretation was that "supposed to be" was being interpreted as ""thought to be", while "meant to be" was ... "You're supposed to be doing your homework" if the child is caught watching television. Would an English parent say ?[/nq]
This would depend on the normal habits of speech of the parents.
If the child has previously stated the intention of doing homework then "Y
This would depend on the normal habits of speech of the parents.
If the child has previously stated the intention of doing homework then "Y
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