Should vs. Supposed

Attribute	Should	Supposed
Definition	Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness	Used to indicate an assumption or expectation
Usage	Commonly used in advice or recommendations	Commonly used in hypothetical situations
Formality	Considered more formal	Considered less formal
Subjectivity	Can imply a stronger sense of obligation	Can imply a weaker sense of certainty

Definition

Should and supposed are two words that are often used interchangeably in English, but they actually have distinct meanings. "Should" is a modal verb that is used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness. It is often used to give advice or make recommendations. On the other hand, "supposed" is an adjective that is used to indicate something that is assumed or believed to be true, but may not necessarily be the case.

Usage

When using "should," it is important to consider the context in which it is being used. For example, "You should eat your vegetables" is a statement of advice or recommendation. On the other hand, "You are supposed to eat your vegetables" implies that there is an expectation or assumption that you will eat your vegetables, but it is not necessarily a recommendation. In this way, "should" is often used to express a sense of duty or correctness, while "supposed" is used to express an assumption or belief.

Formality

In terms of formality, "should" is generally considered more formal than "supposed." "Should" is often used in professional or academic settings to give advice or make recommendations. On the other hand, "supposed" is more commonly used in casual conversation or informal writing. For example, you might say "You should arrive on time for the meeting" in a business setting, but you might say "I'm supposed to meet my friend for lunch" in a more casual setting.

Expectations

When using "should," there is often an expectation that the action will be carried out. For example, if someone says "You should apologize for your mistake," there is an expectation that the person will indeed apologize. On the other hand, when using "supposed," there is more of an assumption or belief that something will happen, but it is not necessarily expected. For example, if someone says "I'm supposed to go to the gym today," it implies that there is a plan or intention to go to the gym, but it may not actually happen.

Clarity

Using "should" can often provide more clarity in communication, as it clearly indicates an obligation or recommendation. On the other hand, using "supposed" can sometimes lead to confusion, as it implies an assumption or belief that may not be explicitly stated. For example, if someone says "You are supposed to know the answer," it may not be clear whether the person is expected to know the answer or if it is just assumed that they do.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between "should" and "supposed":

• "You should call your mother on her birthday." (advice)
• "You are supposed to call your mother on her birthday." (expectation)
• "I should study for my exam tomorrow." (recommendation)
• "I'm supposed to study for my exam tomorrow." (assumption)
• "He should apologize for his rude behavior." (obligation)
• "He is supposed to apologize for his rude behavior." (belief)

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "should" and "supposed" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and implications. "Should" is used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, while "supposed" is used to indicate assumption or belief. Understanding the differences between these two words can help improve clarity and communication in both spoken and written English.