English Lessons

Suppose

Grammar

4.94.94.94.94.9

Oct 03 2007

rhyme_reason

rhyme_reason

Lesson

We often use  'suppose' to mean 'imagine' or 'guess'

  • I suppose you'll be meeting Danielle when you go to Paris?
  • When you weren't there, I supposed you must have been held up.
  • I suppose you two know each other?

Notice that 'suppose' is not normally used in the continuous form. We do not usually say 'I am supposing'.

  • Now I suppose we'll have to do something else.
  • We're waiting for John and I suppose he must be stuck in traffic.
  • At this moment I suppose it doesn't matter.

Notice that for 'imagine not' or 'guess not' that we make 'suppose' negative, not the other verb.

  • I don't suppose you know where Mary is?
  • I don't suppose he'll do anything.
  • I don't suppose you  have a Nokia phone charger here?

When responding to an idea with 'suppose', you can use 'so' to avoid repeating the idea that has already been expressed.

  • Is Susan coming to this meeting? ~ -I suppose so.
'Supposed to be' can be used to mean 'it is said/believed'.

 

  • The new James Bond movie is supposed to be excellent.
  • He is supposed to have been rude to Mark but I don't believe it.
  • It is supposed to be the best restaurant in town.

'Supposed to be' can also be used to talk about what is arranged, intended or expected. It is a bit like 'should'.

  • I'm supposed to get to work by 8.
  • John is supposed to turn off all the lights when he leaves.
  • I'm supposed to pay my rent on the first of the month.

Often there is a suggestion that the action 'supposed to' happen does not actually happen

  • I'm supposed to be there before 8 but I'm often late.
  • You were supposed to phone me.
  • I'm supposed to be getting on a plane to Tokyo at this very minute.

'Not supposed to' often suggest that something is not allowed or prohibited.

  • You're not supposed to smoke in here.
  • I'm not supposed to tell you.
  • We're not supposed to use the Internet for personal reasons at work.

'Suppose' can also be used as a conjunction to mean 'what if'. Notice that the verb which follows it is sometimes, but not always, put 'more in the past'.

  • Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there. ~ Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time.
  • There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in. ~ Suppose I sit there until somebody comes?
  • I'm going to ask him for a pay increase. ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would you do?

Comments

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05:23 AM Mar 08 2008 | Reply

rainvin83

rainvin83

India

Very Useful and informative, i had a doubt on this ,  but now its get cleared,

 

Thank u

Vino 

06:59 AM Mar 09 2008 | Reply

shruti kesari

shruti kesari

India

it's is very useful for me.i need it

thanks

01:19 AM Mar 10 2008 | Reply

dex

dex

China

Very thorough explanation with good examples!

thanks

06:01 AM Mar 10 2008 | Reply

Evan Zhao

China

just one word,it contains so many means.How can I learn it?god please me.

08:00 AM Mar 10 2008 | Reply

artistoo

artistoo

Tunisia

thank you

12:27 PM Mar 10 2008 | Reply

tohid68

tohid68

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

very gooooooooood

 

tanku very much

02:05 AM Mar 11 2008 | Reply

faries

Malaysia

hello

 

04:38 AM Mar 11 2008 | Reply

Eman dabbas

Eman dabbas

Jordan

BEAUUUUUUUUUUUTIFUL

10:26 AM Mar 11 2008 | Reply

qtluvbug

qtluvbug

Pakistan

I suppose its excellent way to suppose the suppose word root ;) LoL

great and informative :)

04:32 AM Mar 12 2008 | Reply

nono710

nono710

China

thank  u!  I am learning this word now . It is very good for me!

1 through 10 of 17 Next >
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Lian.Hanjin

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qtluvbug

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qtluvbug

Pakistan

I suppose its excellent way to suppose the suppose word root ;) LoL great and informative :)

チワン語陳

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チワン語陳

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cat m

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cat m

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honey_bee2009

India

Very useful lesson indeed. Thanks

55555

Znke

Syrian Arab Republic

New and nice information for me thak you

55555

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Malaysia

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