In today’s weekly class, Learn English with GOLDEN PAGE MAGAZINE shall be discussing the correct use of one of the most misapplied word or words in English sentence: Suppose/supposed.
Commonly, Learn English understands that many people have misused the word or words simply because they have little or no knowledge about their individual meanings and phonetics.
To some, the words, Suppose/Supposed, are the same. Hence, the similarity that is accrued to them are so – in terms of pronunciation and concept, thereby creating confusions both in written and spoken conversations.
However, on the contrary, the words can neither be pronounced nor used in the same form in spite of the fact that they are lookalikes.
Although it is common to the culture of according respect based on one’s mastery of the English Language, one might lose the deserved prestige once an ignorant or arrogant misuse is noticed.
The truth is, speaking English the right way is not often about prestige or respect as it is about making conversations easily understood, loud and clear.
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Suppose (Present and Past)
According to Oxford dictionary, suppose means to think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge.
The word is a verb which is similar to think, assume, believe, etc. (I suppose/I think/We suppose/we think)
Examples of its correct use:
(Present Tense) Shade supposes they were wrong – It means Shade thinks they were wrong
(Past Tense) Shade supposed they were wrong – It means Shade thought they were wrong
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Supposed (No Present or Past Tense)
According to Oxford dictionary, supposed means to be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made.
The word is originally participial, which means it is independent and cannot be changed in terms of tenses. It can also be used as an adjective.
Its synonyms are expected, meant, required, ought to, obliged, etc.
Examples of its correct use:
- (As Participial) You are supposed to sing the song at church today! – It means You are expected to sing the song at church today!
- I was supposed to be there. – It means I was required to be there.
Note that: the word ‘Supposed‘ is used with the preposition ‘to‘.
- (As Adjective) I love his supposed talents.
- Their supposed demeanor is really nothing to write home about.
Note that: Adjectives are words used to qualify nouns or pronouns. Hence, the word ‘Supposed‘ above is used to qualify nouns such as TALENTS and DEMEANOUR. It is NOT used with ‘to‘
Author: Afolabi Samuel Odunayo is the Editor-in-chief of GOLDEN PAGE MAGAZINE and creator of Learn English with Golden Page. He is also a seasoned teacher and facilitator of the English language and Literature-in-English.
For further details or enquiries, contact: afolabisamuel.odunayo@gmail.com.
