suppose
verb OPAL S
/səˈpəʊz/
/səˈpəʊz/
Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they suppose | /səˈpəʊz/ /səˈpəʊz/ |
| he / she / it supposes | /səˈpəʊzɪz/ /səˈpəʊzɪz/ |
| past simple supposed | /səˈpəʊzd/ /səˈpəʊzd/ |
| past participle supposed | /səˈpəʊzd/ /səˈpəʊzd/ |
| -ing form supposing | /səˈpəʊzɪŋ/ /səˈpəʊzɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to think or believe that something is true or possible (based on the knowledge that you have)
- Getting a visa isn't as simple as you might suppose.
- Prices will go up, I suppose.
- suppose (that)… I don't suppose for a minute that he'll agree (= I'm sure that he won't).
- It's reasonable to suppose that he left the note after he tried to call her.
- Why do you suppose he resigned?
- I suppose all the tickets have been sold now, have they?
- There is no reason to suppose she's lying.
- I suppose you think it's funny, do you? (= showing anger). ‘That’ is nearly always left out, especially in speech.
- suppose somebody/something (to be/have) something (formal) She had supposed him (to be) very rich.
- (formal) I had supposed his wife a younger woman.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- mistakenly
- wrongly
- commonly
- …
- be plausible to
- be reasonable to
- be absurd to
- …
- reason to suppose something
- [intransitive, transitive] used to make a statement, request or suggestion less direct or less strong
- I could take you in the car, I suppose (= but I don't really want to).
- ‘Can I borrow the car?’ ‘I suppose so’ (= Yes, but I'm not happy about it).
- What I’m saying, I suppose, is that she’s not really suitable for the job.
- suppose (that)… I don’t suppose (that) I could have a look at your newspaper, could I?
- Suppose we take a later train?
- [transitive] to pretend that something is true; to imagine what would happen if something were true
- suppose (that)… Suppose flights are fully booked on that day—which other day could we go?
- Let us suppose, for example, that you are married with two children.
- Let's suppose for a moment that these four points are correct.
- suppose something (formal) The theory supposes the existence of life on other planets.
- suppose somebody/something (to be/have) something (formal) Suppose him (to be) dead—what then?
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French supposer, from Latin supponere (from sub- ‘from below’ + ponere ‘to place’), but influenced by Latin suppositus ‘set under’ and Old French poser ‘to place’.
Idioms
be supposed to do/be something
- to be expected or required to do/be something according to a rule, a custom, an arrangement, etc.
- What am I supposed to do?
- You're supposed to buy a ticket, but not many people do.
- I thought we were supposed to be paid today.
- The engine doesn't sound like it's supposed to.
- You were supposed to be here an hour ago!
- Oops—that wasn't supposed to happen.
- How was I supposed to know you were waiting for me?
- ‘Yes and no.’ ‘What is that supposed to mean?’ (= showing that you are annoyed)
Express Yourself Asking about obligationAsking about obligationWhen you are unsure about what is expected of you in a situation, you can ask about obligations:Topics Permission and obligationb1- What time do we have to be home?
- Are we supposed to show our ID cards?
- Is it necessary to apply for a visa?
- Is there a legal obligation to wear a bike helmet here?
- to be generally believed or expected to be/do something
- I haven't seen it myself, but it's supposed to be a great movie.
- This combination of qualities is generally supposed to be extremely rare.
- She's supposed to have had hundreds of lovers.
not be supposed to do something
- to not be allowed to do something
- You're not supposed to walk on the grass.