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Chwankok Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

What is the differences ?

I was supposed

I am supposed

I supposed.

Can anyone elaborate the differences ? Thanks
  

Top answer

Not so easy to cover all the possibilities with no context, Chwan, but: 'I was supposed to help my father' = I should have helped / I was directed/expected to help my father. Past tense, active voice. 'I was supposed to have helped my father' = I was thought (by others) to have helped my father.

— Mister Micawber

  • Not so easy to cover all the possibilities with no context, Chwan, but: 'I was supposed to help my father' = I should have helped / I was directed/expected to help my father.
  • Past tense, active voice.
  • 'I was supposed to have helped my father' = I was thought (by others) to have helped my father.
  • Past tense, passive voice.
  • 'I am supposed to help my father' = I should help / I have been directed to help / I am expected to help my father.
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2 Answers
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Not so easy to cover all the possibilities with no context, Chwan, but:


'I was supposed to help my father' = I should have helped / I was directed/expected to help my father. Past tense, active voice.

'I was supposed to have helped my father' = I was thought (by others) to have helped my father. Past tense, passive voice.

'I am supposed to help my father' = I
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A construction we sometimes find in historical, scientific or philosophical writings: 'it is to be supposed that...'

'It is to be supposed that the chancellor was well aware of the likely consequences of his actions.'

i.e. 'presumably the chancellor knew what would happen'.



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