was that supposed to work? vs is that supposed to work?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Was that supposed to work?' is used when referring to something that has already happened, while 'Is that supposed to work?' is used when asking about the current or future status of something.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 683 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something that has already happened.

"was that supposed to work?"

This phrase is used when questioning the success or failure of something that was expected to work in the past.

Examples:

I tried to fix the computer, but was that supposed to work?
He followed the recipe exactly, but was that supposed to work?
The experiment failed. Was that supposed to work?
The car wouldn't start. Was that supposed to work?
The plan backfired. Was that supposed to work?

Show examples from the web [+]

How's that supposed to work?
Simply do not ask: "How is that supposed to work?" Indeed, it is impossible to imagine and we won't give you any answers.
How's that supposed to work?
Nothing around here works the way it's supposed to work.
Make our democracy work the way it's supposed to work.
Make our democracy work the way it's supposed to work.
That's not how it's supposed to work.
You were supposed to work for 6 months.
You're only supposed to work four hours a week.
I'm not actually sure how this is supposed to work.
Things are supposed to work out for me.
Castle, we weren't supposed to work together at all.
Roe's doing interviews with the crew who's supposed to work today.
Saturday, I supposed to work morning, but dentist...
That's supposed to work after everything goes down.
So tell me again how this plan is supposed to work.
So, I still don't understand how this is supposed to work.
That's how democracy's supposed to work.
A lawyer is supposed to work for you.
Wasn't supposed to work this way, Raymond.

Alternatives:

Did that work as intended?
Was that expected to function properly?
Was that meant to be successful?
Was that designed to operate correctly?
Was that planned to be effective?

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking about the current or future status of something.

"is that supposed to work?"

This phrase is used when questioning whether something is expected to work correctly at the present moment or in the future.

Examples:

The machine is making a strange noise. Is that supposed to work?
You connected the wires this way. Is that supposed to work?
The program keeps crashing. Is that supposed to work?
The door won't close properly. Is that supposed to work?
The lights are flickering. Is that supposed to work?

Show examples from the web [+]

Simply do not ask: "How is that supposed to work?" Indeed, it is impossible to imagine and we won't give you any answers.
And how is that supposed to work?
And how is that supposed to work?
So, how is that supposed to work?
And how is that supposed to work?
How's that supposed to work?
How's that supposed to work?
Nothing around here works the way it's supposed to work.
Make our democracy work the way it's supposed to work.
Make our democracy work the way it's supposed to work.
That's not how it's supposed to work.
You were supposed to work for 6 months.
You're only supposed to work four hours a week.
I'm not actually sure how this is supposed to work.
Things are supposed to work out for me.
Castle, we weren't supposed to work together at all.
Roe's doing interviews with the crew who's supposed to work today.
Saturday, I supposed to work morning, but dentist...
That's supposed to work after everything goes down.
So tell me again how this plan is supposed to work.

Alternatives:

Will that work as intended?
Is that expected to function properly?
Is that meant to be successful?
Is that designed to operate correctly?
Is that planned to be effective?

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was that supposed to work? vs is that supposed to work?