0
LouiST Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

To be supposed to

What's the difference between "be supposed to" and "should do" (What does "be supposed to" actually mean?)
I'm not a native English speaker, and it's quite hard to see the difference.
Or is there hardly any?

For example: (please correct)

I should do my homework. the same as:
I'm supposed to do my homework ??

She should search a job.
She's supposed to search a job. -> the same?

I should have done my homework earlier.
I'm supposed to ???? Is that possible?
  

Top answer

" I'm supposed to have done my homework earlier / I was supposed to have done my homework earlier. Yes, these are possible.

— Avangi

  • " I'm supposed to have done my homework earlier / I was supposed to have done my homework earlier.
  • Yes, these are possible.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
To suppose is to assume or to "take for granted."

When we use it in the passive, it means "someone supposes that I'm going to do something, or that I have done something or had done something."
I'm supposed to have done my homework earlier / I was supposed to have done my homework earlier.

Yes, these are possible.
0
0
I am supposed to -- Now or in the future.
I was supposed to -- in the past
0
0
Mister Micawber I am supposed to -- Now or in the future.
I was supposed to -- in the past
Hi, MrM,
I'm wondering if this is a standard rule which I've managed to miss, and if the past, present, and future refer to the task or to the supposition.

I suspect you're saying that "I'm supposed to have done that an hour ago" is i
0
0
But what does "was" mean?
I am supposed to go to bed.
-> I should go to bed - now.

I was supposed to go to bed.
-> I should have gone to bed. So it's a thing that I didn't do, even though I should have done it. Is that correct?
A thing that didn't happen, even though I should have happened?

I don't get it....
LS
0
0
But what does "was" mean?
I am supposed to go to bed.
-> I should go to bed - now.-- Yes, now or in the future or in general.

I was supposed to go to bed.
-> I should have gone to bed. So it's a thing that I didn't do, even though I should have done it. Is that correct?-- Correct.
A thing that didn't happen, even though I should have happened?-- Yes
0
0
Thank you.

But what's the difference then? Between: 'I was supposed to go to bed' and 'I should have gone to bed"?
Is it that "should have gone to bed" refers to the present and "was supposed to go to bed" is just in the past... No, haha I have no idea.

And if there is hardly any difference between those two, which is used more? "I was supposed to go to bed" or "I should have
0
0
But what's the difference then? Between: 'I was supposed to go to bed' and 'I should have gone to bed"?-- Both refer to a past obligation or correctness. 'Should have' is usually a personal obligation while 'was supposed to' is a requirement from an outside authority.
0

Related Questions