- suppose
- sup|poseW1S1 [səˈpəuz US -ˈpouz] v [T][Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: supposer, from Latin supponere 'to put under, substitute', from sub- ( SUB-) + ponere 'to put']1.) spoken I supposea) used to say you think something is true, although you are uncertain about it= ↑I guess I suppose (that)▪ I suppose you're right.▪ So things worked out for the best, I suppose.▪ 'Aren't you pleased?' 'Yes, I suppose so .'b) used when agreeing to let someone do something, especially when you do not really want to= ↑I guess▪ 'Can we come with you?' 'Oh, I suppose so .'c) used when saying in an angry way that you expect something is true= ↑I guess I suppose (that)▪ I suppose you thought you were being clever!d) used to say that you think that something is probably true, although you wish it was not and hope someone will tell you it is not= ↑I guess I suppose (that)▪ I suppose it's too late to apply for that job now.e) used when guessing that something is true= ↑I guess▪ She looked about 50, I suppose.2.) spoken I don't suppose (that)a) used to ask a question in an indirect way, especially if you think the answer will be 'no'▪ I don't suppose you have any idea where my address book is, do you?b) used to ask for something in a very polite way▪ I don't suppose you'd give me a lift to the station?c) used to say that you think it is unlikely something will happen▪ I don't suppose I'll ever see her again.3.) spoken do you suppose (that) ...?used to ask someone their opinion about something, although you know that it is unlikely that they have any more information about the situation than you do▪ Do you suppose this is the exact spot?who/what/why etc do you suppose...?▪ Who on earth do you suppose could have done this?▪ How do you suppose he got here?4.) spoken what's that supposed to mean?used when you are annoyed by what someone has just said▪ 'It sounds like things aren't going too well for you lately.' 'What's that supposed to mean?'5.) spoken suppose/supposing (that)used when talking about a possible condition or situation, and then imagining the result▪ Look, suppose you lost your job tomorrow, what would you do?▪ Supposing it really is a fire!6.) be supposed to do/be stha) used to say what someone should or should not do, especially because of rules or what someone in authority has said▪ We're supposed to check out of the hotel by 11 o'clock.▪ I'm not supposed to tell anyone.▪ What time are you supposed to be there?b) used to say what was or is expected or intended to happen, especially when it did not happen▪ No one was supposed to know about it.▪ The meeting was supposed to take place on Tuesday, but we've had to postpone it.▪ The new laws are supposed to prevent crime.c) used to say that something is believed to be true by many people, although it might not be true or you might disagree▪ The castle is supposed to be haunted.▪ 'Dirty Harry' is supposed to be one of Eastwood's best films.▪ Mrs Carver is supposed to have a lot of money.7.) [not in progressive]to think that something is probably true, based on what you know= ↑presume▪ There were many more deaths than was first supposed.suppose (that)▪ What makes you suppose we're going to sell the house?▪ There's no reason to suppose (=it is unlikely that) he's lying.8.) [not in progressive] formalto expect that something will happen or be true, and to base your plans on it▪ The company's plan supposes a steady increase in orders.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬WORD CHOICE: suppose, guessIn spoken phrases, I suppose and I guess are used in the same way, but suppose is more usual in British English and guess in American English : I suppose that's his mum. | I guess you're right. | I suppose you can come if you want to. | I guess I'll go home now. |'Should we sit here?' 'I suppose so.' | 'Isn't he coming?' 'I guess not.'GRAMMAR!! Do not say 'be suppose to do something'. Use be supposed to : You're supposed to take your shoes off. | He's supposed to be very clever.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
