were supposed to be vs was supposed to be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Were supposed to be' is used when referring to plural subjects, while 'was supposed to be' is used with singular subjects.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1299 views

This phrase is correct when referring to plural subjects.

"were supposed to be"

Use 'were supposed to be' when the subject is plural, meaning more than one person or thing was expected to be something or do something.

Examples:

They were supposed to be here by now.
The books were supposed to be delivered yesterday.
The students were supposed to be studying for the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

We were supposed to be an empire. Lyric Meaning. We spoused to be together to night. Improve the quality of What Is Love Lyrics by leaving a suggestion at the ...
4 days ago ... B2 to have to; to have a duty or a responsibility to: The children are supposed to be at school by 8.45 a.m. What are you doing out of bed ...
He wasn't supposed to be here. They aren't supposed to do that. We were supposed to fly to Miami today. You were supposed to be here at ten. but he didn' t.
18 Fruits And Veggies That Forgot What Shape They Were Supposed To Be. These fruits and veggies are disturbingly good at looking like anything but what ...

Alternatives:

were meant to be
were expected to be
were scheduled to be
were intended to be
were planned to be

This phrase is correct when referring to singular subjects.

"was supposed to be"

Use 'was supposed to be' when the subject is singular, meaning one person or thing was expected to be something or do something.

Examples:

He was supposed to be at the meeting.
The package was supposed to be delivered today.
The cake was supposed to be ready by now.

Show examples from the web [+]

That was supposed to be my life.
It was supposed to be this really big deal.
It was supposed to be sold at auction.
That was supposed to be returned to the bank.
This sword was supposed to be buried with my grandpa.
That was supposed to be the fun car.
It was supposed to be a bachelor/bachelorette party.
This was supposed to be routine.
That was supposed to be returned to the bank.
It was taken this morning when she was supposed to be with her kid.
Al Gough was supposed to be Mark's partner.
This was supposed to be our world.
The agent was supposed to be here with the dough.
There was this guy who was supposed to be psychic.
Your father was supposed to be alone.
It was supposed to be a quiet release with a local photographer.
My client was supposed to be sent to county yesterday.
Well, it was supposed to be a nice night out.
It was supposed to be a very special, life-advice sort of occasion.
This was supposed to be a clean score.

Alternatives:

was meant to be
was expected to be
was scheduled to be
was intended to be
was planned to be

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were supposed to be vs was supposed to be