suppose 的核心动作是"暂且当作真的,然后往下推"。说 Suppose it rains tomorrow,不是预测下雨,而是把"下雨"当前提来讨论。说 I suppose he's right,不是确认他对,而是"我暂且这么认为,虽然没把握"。be supposed to do 是这个逻辑的延伸:某事"被预设为应当发生"——按预期、按规定应该这样。三个义项都是同一个动作:设定一个暂时的前提。
释义
1
v.假设;假定(设定前提)
Suppose you had one million dollars — what would you do?
假设你有一百万美元,你会怎么做?
2
v.认为;猜想(不确定的推测)
I suppose she'll arrive by noon, but I'm not certain.
我猜想她应该会在中午前到,但我不确定。
3
v.(be supposed to)应当;理应;被期望
You are not supposed to use your phone during the exam.
考试期间你不应该使用手机。
语感
suppose = 先当它是真的,再往下走
假设猜想应当
suppose 像是思维的暂停键:先设一个前提,不管它是否真实,然后继续推理。这就是为什么它能同时表示"假设"(明知不一定真)和"认为"(有倾向但没把握)。be supposed to 是最特殊的用法——它说的是"按照预设/规定/期望,事情应该这样"。The train is supposed to arrive at 8,不是说"我认为火车8点到",而是"按时刻表,它该8点到"。用 suppose 做假设题引导时,后面的从句用过去式(Suppose you were the teacher),这和虚拟语气逻辑一致。
陷阱
⚠️be supposed to ≠ 主观想要做
I'm supposed to hand in the report by Friday.
✗
我想要在周五前交报告
✓
我(按规定/被要求)应在周五前交报告
supposed to 表达外部规定或预期,不是主观意愿。
⚠️suppose vs assume:有没有把握
✗
I suppose the data is accurate without checking it.