In English, it’s common to hear phrases like I supposed to come used in casual conversation, especially among learners. However, this particular sentence is grammatically incorrect. While the intention is often clear that someone had an obligation or plan to be somewhere it’s important to understand the correct structure of this kind of expression. In this topic, we’ll explore what the speaker usually means, why the phrase is incorrect, how to fix it, and how similar expressions are formed and used properly in different tenses and situations.
Understanding the Meaning Behind I Supposed to Come
What the Speaker Likely Means
The sentence I supposed to come is typically intended to express that someone had the obligation or plan to be present somewhere but either couldn’t or didn’t. It’s an attempt to express a past expectation. The correct version of this sentence would be
- I was supposed to come.
The key issue here is with the verb form and auxiliary verb. In English, the phrase be supposed to is used to express expectation, duty, or obligation. It is a passive construction and must be used with the correct tense of the verb to be.
Correct Grammar I Was Supposed to Come
Structure of Be Supposed To
The general formula is
- Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + supposed to + base verb
So for different tenses and subjects, the construction would look like
- I am supposed to attend the meeting. (present)
- She is supposed to start at 9 AM. (present)
- We were supposed to leave earlier. (past)
- They are supposed to help with the cleanup. (present)
Why I Supposed to Come Is Wrong
Supposed is a past participle and cannot act as a main verb without the auxiliary was or were. Saying I supposed to come removes the helping verb that gives the sentence proper tense and structure.
Examples of Correct Usage
Present Tense
- I am supposed to be at work by 8 AM.
- He is supposed to pick up the kids after school.
- They are supposed to deliver the package today.
Past Tense
- I was supposed to come to the party, but I got sick.
- She was supposed to meet us at noon.
- We were supposed to fly out this morning.
Using Supposed To in Negative Sentences
Forming Negative Statements
To form a negative, simply add not after the verb be
- I am not supposed to tell anyone.
- He wasn’t supposed to leave early.
Examples in Context
Negative sentences help convey prohibition or restriction
- We’re not supposed to use phones during class.
- You weren’t supposed to open that door.
Asking Questions with Supposed To
Forming Questions
Use inversion of the subject and the be verb
- Am I supposed to wait here?
- Was she supposed to call you?
- Are we supposed to bring our own lunch?
Expressing Disappointment or Regret
Was supposed to is often used to show regret or disappointment when plans fail. This is one of the most common contexts for the corrected version of the original sentence I supposed to come. Here are a few examples
- I was supposed to come, but my car broke down.
- She was supposed to present today, but she got the date wrong.
- They were supposed to arrive by noon, but their flight was delayed.
These expressions reflect that something was planned or expected, but didn’t happen as intended.
Common Errors Similar to I Supposed to Come
Other Mistakes with Supposed To
- He suppose to go home early.→He is supposed to go home early.
- We suppose to be there at five.→We are supposed to be there at five.
- She supposed to help us.→She is supposed to help us.
The common pattern in all these errors is the missing verb be in its correct tense.
Fixing the Mistakes
To fix such errors, always check
- The subject (I, you, he, she, we, they)
- The correct form of the verb to be (am, is, are, was, were)
- The base form of the action verb after supposed to
Tips for Using Supposed To Correctly
- Always pair supposed with the correct form of the verb to be.
- Follow supposed to with the base form of the verb (not past tense).
- Use was/were supposed to to talk about past expectations.
- Use am/is/are supposed to to talk about present expectations or obligations.
- Practice listening to native speakers to notice how the phrase is used in context.
Real-Life Contexts Where Supposed To Is Useful
This phrase is frequently used in daily life when discussing plans, rules, or responsibilities. Whether you’re talking about a missed appointment or expected behavior, mastering this structure adds clarity and fluency to your English. Consider these examples
- I was supposed to come to your birthday, but I had an emergency.
- You’re not supposed to park here.
- Aren’t we supposed to finish this by Friday?
These examples show how versatile and common supposed to is in everyday communication.
Learning how to correctly say and write I was supposed to come instead of the incorrect I supposed to come is a small but powerful step toward improving your English grammar. Understanding and practicing the structure be supposed to will allow you to speak more clearly, express obligations and expectations, and sound more natural in conversation. Paying attention to verb forms, punctuation, and context makes all the difference. With continued practice, this phrase and others like it will become second nature in both writing and speech.