Basic Details
Word: Supposed
Part of Speech: Adjective; verb (past tense of suppose)
Meaning: Believed or said to be true, though perhaps not. With to, it means expected or required to do something.
Synonyms: expected, alleged, assumed
How to Spell Supposed
Syllables: sup - posed
Tricky part: The p is doubled, and the final d is often dropped in 'supposed to' because it is hard to hear. Suppose to is a common mistake.
Watch out for: suposed, supossed, supposd, suppossed
Memory tip: Sup + posed. Posed is the past of pose, and you just put sup in front with its p meeting the p of posed.
Usage Examples
Example 1: You were supposed to call me when you reached Chennai.
Example 2: The supposed ghost in the old haveli turned out to be a curtain.
Example 3: This medicine is supposed to be taken after meals.
Fun Fact
Suppose came into English from Old French supposer, built from sub, under, and poser, to put or place.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
su_pos_d
a) s, e
b) p, i
c) p, e
d) b, e
Show answer
c) p, e. The second letter pair is pp, and the past form ends in ed.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word 'supposed' as used in the sentence:
The new flyover was supposed to open in March, but the work is still going on.
a) unlikely
b) refused
c) expected
d) forbidden
Show answer
c) expected. Supposed to means it was meant or expected to happen.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence and choose the word they make:
The rumour about the dsepspuo treasure under the old fort spread quickly.
a) supported
b) opposed
c) deposed
d) supposed
Show answer
d) supposed. Opposed needs two o's, deposed needs two e's, and supported a t and an r.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A supposed expert is someone who ____.
a) refuses to give anyone any advice
b) is said to be an expert but may not be
c) teaches the subject at a university
d) has won many awards for their work
Show answer
b) is said to be an expert but may not be
2. Which sentence is written correctly?
a) We were suppose to meet at six.
b) We were supposing to meet at six.
c) We were supposedly to meet at six.
d) We were supposed to meet at six.
Show answer
d) We were supposed to meet at six.
