Be supposed to is probably the one expression that you would come across most often. We use it to say that something is required or expected, but not necessarily always done.

In the present:

• Children are supposed to be quiet in school. (it is expected of them, but usually does not happen.)
• We are supposed to have our phones switched off when in college.
• Employees are not supposed to use the computers for any private communications.
• In the past: We were supposed to catch the 8 o’clock train but we didn’t get to the station on time. The traffic was really bad.
• Sabina was supposed to contact the client, but she forgot.
• Weren’t you supposed to be at the conference yesterday?
• They weren’t supposed to leave the building until 8 but everybody clocked off early and went home.

Have a look at these examples with the other expressions:

1. Candidates are expected to arrive no less than 15 minutes before the start of the examination.
2. Guests of the hotel are asked not to smoke anywhere in the building.
3. In the UK, you’re allowed to vote at the age of 18.
4. If you want to use one of the meeting rooms, you’re supposed to book it 48 hours in advance.
5. I was asked not to discuss any details of this report.
6. The employees were told to record all their daily task on a timesheet.

Make sure you study these examples carefully and try to use these expressions with other verbs to help you remember their meaning.