The bus is supposed to have arrived 10 minutes ago,

The bus is supposed to have arrived 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.
The bus is supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.


Which one of the above two make more sense to you and why? Thanks.

Neither sentence is correct.

Here are some correct ones.

The bus was supposed to have arrived 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.
The bus was supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.

Either of these is ok but the second one is better IMHO because it is less awkward.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hi_there_Carl

Neither sentence is correct.

Here are some correct ones.

The bus was supposed to have arrived 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.
The bus was supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.

Either of these is ok but the second one is better IMHO because it is less awkward.

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Thanks, Carl.
But I can't figure out why the base sentences don't work. Are my reasonings in the following right?


The bus is supposed to have arrived 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.=We/People now suppose that the bus should have arrived 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.
The bus is supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, but it didn't. =We/People now suppose the bus should arrive 10 minutes ago, but it didn't.

You are over thinking the problem... :shock:

"The bus is supposed to have arrived....." is incorrect. "The bus was supposed to have arrived....." is correct.

"The bus is supposed to arrive in 10 minutes" is correct. "The bus was supposed to arrive in ten minutes" is incorrect.

It has to do with timing. Use the word "is" for present. Use the word "was" for past. ;-)