Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 4

Unit 4 Lesson A: Party time

Vocabulary
Modality
be supposed to (= have to / should) (v)
be supposed to (= they say) (v)
was / were going to (v)
was / were supposed to (v)

Plans and social events

come and get someone (v)
look forward to something (v)

Other words
instead (adv)
barbecue (n)
family reunion (n)
anyone in particular

Grammar
be supposed to for the present or future
Be supposed to has different meanings. It can mean "They say . . . ":

It's supposed to be a barbecue. (= They say it's a barbecue.)

It can also mean "have to" or "should":

I'm supposed to work tomorrow. (= I have to work tomorrow.)

He's not supposed to eat chocolate. (= He shouldn't eat chocolate.)

It can contrast what should happen with what does or will happen:

I'm supposed to be studying for an exam (but I'm not).

Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 4, Lesson A, Page 1

Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 4

be supposed to for the past and was / were going to

Was / were supposed to can mean what was expected to happen didn't or won't happen:

They were supposed to come at 7:00 (but they didn't).

I wasn't supposed to go by myself (but I'll have to).

Was / Were going to has a similar meaning:

He was going to give us directions (but he didn't).

It can also mean "intended to":

I wasn't going to go to the party (but I guess I will).

Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 4, Lesson A, Page 2