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what is the meaning of the word 'suppose' in this context?

 
 
bubu
 
Reply Wed 29 Jun, 2011 11:06 am
Hello,
The text below is an extract from a highschool english book.

My mother looked at me angrily. "I know " she said, "you are supposed to be a writer and I suppose you are. You smoke enough cigarettes to be just anything and the whole house is full of smoke. But you should learn a craft. Some thing that can be touched and seen.

What are the meanings of the word 'suppose' used twice in the paragraph?

Thank you in advance
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roger
 
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Reply Wed 29 Jun, 2011 05:13 pm
@bubu,
It means the same as "assumed".
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JTT
 
  1  
Reply Wed 29 Jun, 2011 07:42 pm
@bubu,
Quote:
My mother looked at me angrily. "I know " she said, "you are supposed to be a writer and I suppose you are.


As Roger noted, suppose = assume, which is strong enough that it can be equated with a modal meaning in the range of 'probably/likely/should'. It doesn't mean all of those all the time.

While 'probably/likely/should' express the opinion of the speaker, 'be supposed to' connotes that this is coming from some other source, usually a higher authority.

Examples:

You should do your homework.

[My opinion that it's a good thing to do your homework]

You're supposed to do your homework.

[Me, expressing that some higher authority, maybe a parent or teacher, believes you should be doing your homework]

"I know " she said, "you are supposed to be a writer [I hear on good source that you are a writer]

I suppose you are [you probably are].
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