were they supposed to come vs would they come

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'Were they supposed to come?' is used to ask about an obligation or expectation in the past, while 'Would they come?' is used to inquire about a future possibility or likelihood.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 630 views

were they supposed to come

This phrase is correct and commonly used to ask about an obligation or expectation in the past.

This phrase is used to inquire whether there was an expectation or obligation for someone to come in the past.

Examples:

Were they supposed to come to the meeting yesterday?
Were they supposed to come to the party last night?
Were they supposed to come to the event last week?
Were they supposed to come to the conference last month?
Were they supposed to come to the appointment this morning?

Show examples from the web [+]

You said last night that they were not supposed to come here.
They were supposed to come back with a smoking gun, and all they found was a little human rights abuse.
They were supposed to come in, sit tight until this played out so Yuri wouldn't suspect that we were involved.
That baby'll come whenever it's supposed to come.
My replacement's supposed to come tomorrow.
You weren't supposed to come back from Atlanta till next month.
I think you're supposed to come back with us.
You were supposed to come back next week.
It wasn't supposed to come to that.
Supposed to come in this week, but she called to cancel.
You were supposed to come over tonight and get your meds.
She's supposed to come straight home from school.
He was supposed to come back to life like the others.
Plus Joanna's supposed to come by a little later.
You were supposed to come for the MRI today.
You're not supposed to come to get even sleazier.
A favor's supposed to come from the bottom of your heart.
Eric was supposed to come home.
- You weren't supposed to come.
You're not supposed to come inside.

Alternatives:

Were they meant to come?
Were they expected to come?
Were they scheduled to come?
Were they required to come?
Were they obligated to come?

would they come

This phrase is correct and commonly used to inquire about a future possibility or likelihood.

This phrase is used to ask about the likelihood or possibility of someone coming in the future.

Examples:

Would they come to the party tomorrow?
Would they come to the event next week?
Would they come to the meeting next month?
Would they come to the conference next year?
Would they come to the appointment next week?

Show examples from the web [+]

But why would they come here if you're not here.
Why else would they come to us?
Why would they come after the boy in the house that night?
Why would they come out of the blue after all these years?
If this connects to who killed your mother and kidnapped you, why would they come looking for you now, after all these years?
Only when the sun fell, when the rest of the world was sleeping, would they come out.
If it wasn't to see his folks, why would they come back to Kansas?

Alternatives:

Will they come?
Are they going to come?
Do you think they will come?
Is it likely that they will come?
Do you expect them to come?

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were they supposed to come vs would they come