How to use 'is supposed to' in English effectively?
The expression "is supposed to" is key in English to express expectations and obligations. With this guide, you will be able to understand its use and apply it in various day-to-day situations, thus improving your command of the language.
When to express expectations with supposed to?
When talking about situations where certain results or actions are expected, supposed to is the ideal structure. For example, if you are in a show and you say, The magician is supposed to pull a rabbit out of the hat, you are communicating an expectation of what should happen.
How to express obligations?
The main use of supposed to is to indicate obligations or duties. In the same vein, the structure is simple and straightforward:
- Use the verb "be": is, are, am.
- Follow with supposed to.
- Add the verb in its present form.
Examples:
- You are supposed to do the exercises today. This indicates that there is an obligation to complete the exercises on the day mentioned.
- The manager is supposed to meet with each team member once a month. This example highlights a meeting that the manager is expected to have on a regular basis.
How to identify whether an action is allowed or not?
To remember if an action is allowed, look at the instructions:
- If it says You are supposed to not touch that, it clearly means that you are not allowed to touch that object.
These structures allow you to quickly understand what the expected behavior or action is in various situations.
Practical examples to improve your understanding
Let's put what you have learned into practice. Evaluate the following sentences and decide whether they are statements, refusals or questions:
- You _____ arrive on time for work.
- The manager _____ have a one-on-one meeting with each team member every month.
- We _____ disclose confidential information outside the company.
- Are we _____ to exercise every day?
By completing these sentences, you will be able to determine whether they are affirmative, negative or interrogative actions and how to apply them correctly.
How to continue your learning?
I encourage you to create your own examples and share them. Think about work situations (or the job you would like to have) and decide what actions should or should not be done. Some examples include:
- "You're not supposed to sleep on the job."
- "Are we supposed to check emails every hour?"
Practice and hone your skills! Share your examples on a forum or with friends for feedback. With each exercise, you'll be improving your understanding and confidence in using this essential English expression. 宝盈app
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