English grammar
Supposed to + verb: what people say (not confirmed)
Pass on a rumour or reputation using supposed to + infinitive.
From the scene The actor's supposed to…
In short
Supposed to + verb passes on what people say or expect, without saying it's true: he's supposed to have a huge suite.
Your turn
Which one goes with asking about his reputation?
Options: he's supposed to have a huge suite · he's supposed to come out early tomorrow · what's he supposed to be like?
Show answer
asking about his reputation → what's he supposed to be like?
How it works
He's supposed to + verb passes on what people say or expect, without saying it's true: he's supposed to have a huge suite.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
The actor's (blank) to have a huge suite.
Options: supposed · suppose · supposing
Show answer
The actor's supposed to have a huge suite.
Dicen que el actor tiene una suite enorme.
Good to know
What's he supposed to be like? asks what people say about someone.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He's supposed (blank) wear dark glasses day and night.
Options: to · for · of
Show answer
He's supposed to wear dark glasses day and night.
Al parecer, lleva gafas oscuras día y noche.
Good to know
Supposed to can also mean what's planned or expected: he's supposed to come out early tomorrow.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He's supposed to (blank) autographs through the window.
Options: signing · sign · signs
Show answer
He's supposed to sign autographs through the window.
Se dice que firma autógrafos por la ventana.
Good to know
Your own guess is must be instead: he must be very famous.
people say he…: he's supposed to + verb he's supposed to have a huge suite
asking about his reputation what's he supposed to be like?
Your turn
What goes with what's he supposed to be like??
Options: asking about his reputation · people say he…: he's supposed to + verb · what's expected to happen
Show answer
what's he supposed to be like? → asking about his reputation
what's expected to happen he's supposed to come out early tomorrow
Elena
Not yet, but he's supposed to come out early tomorrow.
Todavía no, pero dicen que sale mañana temprano.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not yet, but (blank).
Options: he's supposed to come out early tomorrow · he's supposed to have a huge suite · what's he supposed to be like
Show answer
Elena
Not yet, but he's supposed to come out early tomorrow.
Todavía no, pero dicen que sale mañana temprano.
(recap) my own guess: must be he must be very famous
Your turn
What goes with he must be very famous?
Options: (recap) my own guess: must be · people say he…: he's supposed to + verb · asking about his reputation
Show answer
he must be very famous → (recap) my own guess: must be
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| people say he…: he's supposed to + verb | he's supposed to have a huge suite |
|---|---|
| asking about his reputation | what's he supposed to be like? |
| what's expected to happen | he's supposed to come out early tomorrow |
| (recap) my own guess: must be | he must be very famous |
More lines from the story
- ElenaThe actor's supposed to have a huge suite.Dicen que el actor tiene una suite enorme.
- ElenaHe's supposed to wear dark glasses day and night.Al parecer, lleva gafas oscuras día y noche.
- ElenaHe's supposed to sign autographs through the window.Se dice que firma autógrafos por la ventana.
- ElenaWell... everyone says so. OK... I say so.Pues... se dice. Bueno... lo digo yo.
- TomásHe's supposed to sign autographs through the window.Al parecer, firma autógrafos por la ventana.