“be supposed to”是英语中高频实用的短语,核心含义是“应该;理应;被期望(做某事)”,强调外部要求、规则、习俗或他人的期望(而非说话者的主观意愿),常用来表达“按道理/规定该做的事”或“预期会发生的事”。
“be supposed to + 动词原形”可以理解为:
(按规则/约定)应该做 = should(但更强调“客观要求”,而非主观建议);
(按计划/常理)预计会 = be expected to(但更侧重“常规安排”);
(虚拟语气中)本应该(实际未发生)。
强调“外部要求”(如学校、法律、合同、习俗等),相当于“必须/应该”。
We are supposed to finish our homework before class.(我们应该在上课前完成作业。——学校规定)
Drivers are supposed to stop at red lights.(司机应该在红灯时停车。——交通规则)
You are supposed to return the book in two weeks.(你应该两周内还书。——图书馆规定)
指某事“本应按计划进行”,常用于描述日程、安排或常理判断。
The meeting is supposed to start at 10 a.m.(会议应该上午10点开始。——日程安排)
The weather is supposed to be sunny tomorrow.(明天天气应该是晴天。——天气预报)
This restaurant is supposed to have the best pizza in town.(这家餐厅理应有关镇最好的披萨。——常理判断)
用过去时态(was/were supposed to),表达“本应发生却未发生”的遗憾或意外。
I was supposed to meet her at the café, but I missed the bus.(我本应该在咖啡馆见她,但错过了公交车。)
The flight was supposed to land an hour ago—what’s the delay?(航班本应一小时前降落——怎么延误了?)
表示“不应该;不准;禁止”(违反规则或期望)。
You are not supposed to smoke in the office.(你不准在办公室抽烟。——公司规定)
Kids are not supposed to watch too much TV.(孩子不应该看太多电视。——家长/专家建议)
用于询问“是否应该做某事”(确认规则或期望)。
Am I supposed to bring a gift to the wedding?(我应该带礼物去婚礼吗?)
Is this package supposed to be delivered today?(这个包裹应该今天送达吗?)
1、 与“should”的区别:
should:主观建议(说话者认为“应该”);
be supposed to:客观要求(规则、他人期望或计划)。
例:You should eat more vegetables.(我建议你多吃蔬菜——主观)
You are supposed to eat vegetables at every meal.(按食谱/医生要求,你每顿都应该吃蔬菜——客观)
2、 与“be expected to”的区别:
be expected to:强调“他人的期望”(如老板、父母的期待);
be supposed to:强调“规则/安排”(如制度、日程)。
例:She is expected to get a promotion this year.(大家都期待她今年升职——他人期望)
She is supposed to submit the report by Friday.(她应该周五前提交报告——工作安排)
be supposed to do sth.(应该做某事)
be not supposed to do sth.(不应该做某事)
What am I supposed to do?(我该怎么办?——常用口语,表困惑)
“be supposed to”的核心是“按外部要求/计划的‘应该’”,记住三个关键场景:
规则/责任(必须做);
计划/预期(会发生);
虚拟/遗憾(本应做却没做)。
通过例句代入场景,就能快速掌握其用法~