The sneaky “d”
Which sentences are correct?
- I am expect to be there at noon.
- I am expected to be there at noon.
- I am suppose to be there at noon.
- I am supposed to be there at noon.
- I am accustom to five-star quality.
- I am accustomed to five-star quality.
- I am use to five-star quality.
- I am used to five-star quality.
The correct sentences are B, D, F, and H. Sentence B is obvious; the others not so much.
Why?
In the phrase “I am supposed to . . . ,” the word supposed is a past participle (-ed form of a verb) that functions like an adjective to describe the subject—in the same way as the term expected.
- I am expect to be there at noon.
- I am expected to be there at noon.
- I am suppose to be there at noon.
- I am supposed to be there at noon.
In both cases, the –ed form of the verb is correct. It’s easy to hear with expected, not so easy with supposed.
Without the –ed suffix, the word is a base verb that describes an action (I suppose) and not a past participle that expresses a state of being (I am supposed [to]). A past participle can function as an adjective to describe a noun or a pronoun; a base verb cannot.
The same is true of the terms used and accustomed. In both cases, the –ed form of the verb is correct, functioning as an adjective to describe what the subject is like rather than what it does.
Now you know to keep a lookout for that sneaky “d”!
