Meant / supposed to

[FalaGringo]

I would like to know if "meant to" and "supposed to" can be used interchanegeably in most cases in BrE?

"He was meant to help us."
"He was supposed to help us."

"It's meant to rain tomorrow."
"It's supposed to rain tomorrow."

"How was I meant to know?"
"How was I supposed to know?"

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I doubt it. In the U.S., all of those should say "supposed."

We'll see what our British advisors say. What part of the UK are you from?

 

[Tdol]

To my BrE ears, #1 & 3 are fine. With #2, I would not use the meant version.

 

[FalaGringo]

I'm from London.

 

[tedmc]

I think "meant to" is associated with intentions whereas "supposed to" is about what is to be expected by all reckonings. That's why the former doesn't fit in #2.

 

[Tdol]

I'm from London.

I only said that it sounded strange to my BrE ears. I did not say that I was laying down the law.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have no problem with "It's meant to rain tomorrow".

 

[FalaGringo]

I was replying to Charlie Bernstein as he asked me where I was from.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I have no problem with "It's meant to rain tomorrow".

It wouldn't work in American English, but it looks like it's fine in the UK.

Here in the United States, meant to would mean that it is destined to rain tomorrow — which doesn't make much sense.

 

[Tdol]

I was replying to Charlie Bernstein as he asked me where I was from.

Sorry- that got lost in the thread because of my earlier post. :up: