Suppose and Supposed to

Even experts of the English language are sometimes confused by the phrases “supposed to” and “suppose” in both verbal and non-verbal communication. A student once asked if he should eliminate “suppose” from his vocabulary because he finds it difficult to understand how to use the word correctly. He probably assumed that using it was grammatically incorrect, based on information from unreliable sources. Today’s lesson is meant to clarify and explain the need to eliminate a certain phrase that is commonly used by many speakers. As always, the goal is to enhance our understanding of the language for confident and effective communication, as it is widely recognized as our official language that we cannot do without.

Suppose
“Suppose” is correctly used for making assumptions, expressing beliefs, or conveying wishes. Depending on the context, it can take either the plural “s” or “ed” inflection. Additionally, it can be followed by an object.

Study the following examples:
I supposed the chairman must have met his predecessor for advice. (assume)
The minister supposed the citizens would complain about the administration. (think)
Femi supposes the bride would ask her friends for money. (think)

Supposed To
When referring to obligation or responsibility, “supposed” in the past form, commonly preceded by a verb “to be” and followed by a to-infinitive verb, is grammatically accepted.

Read the following examples:
We are supposed to pray before the commencement of the meeting.
My friends are supposed to cook the food before my arrival.
Ola is supposed to pay for the bus fare.
We supposed to pray before the commencement of the meeting. (Incorrect)
My friends supposed to cook the food before my arrival. (Incorrect)
Ola supposed to pay for the bus fare. (Incorrect)
“Can’t,” “Can not,” and “Cannot”
The contraction of “cannot” is “can’t,” and it is not recommended for formal writing. But in informal context, it can be used without any restrictions.

• Examples:
  I can’t delete the messages until he pays my money.
  We can’t buy a car for the celebrant due to inflation.

  Common Errors In English With Samuel Alimi

Femi can’t beg the lecturer for coming late.

Cannot is preferred in formal writing.

Examples:
The Head of Department cannot accept the research project from the students.
They cannot write the book before the next meeting.
“Can not” are two separate words that can be used with the correlative conjunction “not only… but also”.
They can not only vote against bad governance but also criticize.
Her sister can not only cry but also scream.
However, this should not replace “cannot” as it will be grammatically wrong.
Incorrect: She can not report the issue to the principal.
Correct: She cannot report the issue to the principal.
Correct: She can’t report the issue to the principal.
Incorrect: The children can not play around in the school.
Correct: The children cannot play around in the school.
Correct: The children can’t play around in the school.
Incorrect: Mr Eze can not tolerate insults from his subordinates.
Correct: Mr Eze cannot tolerate insullts from his subordinates.
Correct: Mr Eze can’t tolerate insults from his subordinates.
According to Toppr from Byju’s (2023), “Cannot actually means the inability of someone to do something. Also, this denial of permission to do something is like an incapacity to do or attain something. Cannot is used as the auxiliary verb and one of the thousand most frequently used words in the English language. This is also confirmed from the Oxford English Dictionary. So, the word cannot have been around since around 1500. And is used far more than the word “can not”.”

Literally or Figuratively?
Use ‘literally’ when you mean ‘actually’.
It’s literally wrong to talk while eating.
It’s literally cold out there.

‘Figuratively’, which is typically metaphorical, can be used for words in a more imaginative way.

Figuratively speaking, I hope to run into the robbers again. (meaning you want to meet them after their arrest, not necessarily run into them during a robbery).

Assignment

Choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.

She ______ announce the death of her sister to their mother. (a) cannot (b) can not (c) can’’t
______ is the contraction of cannot. (a) can’t (b) cannot (c) can not
The man in his 30s has ______. (a) stroke (b) a stroke (c) some stroke
Kindly forward your answers to 07049203179 or samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com.
Names of those who answered the questions correctly
Abdullahi Nuhu, Folagbade Olarewaju, Moses Samuel, Shaibu Jeremiah, Oyenka Victor, Phillip Solomon, Eze Bright, Nwachukwu Innocent, Owolabi Okikiola, Odumeso Kolade, Victory Alimi, Sani Bala, Hasan Yakub, Yahyah Aliyu, Akilu Solomon, Yisa Muzo, Peace Daniel, Johnson Victoria , Adewale Olarewaju, Feranmi Kolade, Adeeso Ibrahim, Ogunsanya Kolawole, Adekola Segun, Samuel John and Gboyega Olusegun.