suppose
verb/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 him a younger man.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- mistakenly
- wrongly
- commonly
- …
- be plausible to
- be reasonable to
- be absurd to
- …
- reason to suppose something
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- [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
See suppose in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee suppose in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe 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.
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suppose