Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Episode: Isn’t English Supposed to Make Sense?!

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey (subbing in for Michelle Kaplan)
Date: December 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Lindsay and Aubrey tackle one of the quirkiest aspects of the English language: the pronunciation and meaning differences between “suppose” (with a Z sound) and “supposed to” (with an S sound). Responding to a listener question, they break down when and how each form is used naturally by Americans, give clear examples, and dive into pronunciation tips. The focus remains on practical, everyday usage—reinforcing the “connection, not perfection” philosophy that All Ears English champions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Question Introduction

• [03:21] Aubrey introduces Javier’s question: Why does “suppose” sound like a Z, while “supposed to” is pronounced with an S? What are the rules, and how are they used?
• “Such a good question. And one of the most frustrating things about English is that we see these words, we hear them pronounced, and sometimes it seems like there’s no rhyme or reason.” – Aubrey [03:59]

2. “Suppose” as a Verb – Z Sound Explanation

• [04:42] The verb “suppose” uses a strong Z sound at the end. It means to think, believe, or guess.

• In rapid conversation, “suppose” may be collapsed to sound like one syllable.

• E.g., “Do you think he really lost his phone?”
  “I suppose.” [Role play at 05:39]

  • “Suppose” is slightly more formal than “think,” often used when not completely certain.
  • It’s commonly heard in TV, especially crime shows.
  • “You’re kind of taking their word for something, but you don’t have evidence or you’re not sure.” – Aubrey [05:52]

Notable Quotes

• “I suppose so.” – Lindsay [05:00]

• “It does feel a little more formal... What do you suppose happened to him?” – Aubrey [05:08]

• Hypothetical Use:

  • “Suppose you won the lottery, what would you do first?” [06:43]
  • Equivalent to "Imagine" in many contexts.

• Grammar Tip:

  • The verb “suppose” is not usually used in the past tense (“I supposed”). Use “thought” instead.
  • “I've never heard someone use supposed in the past tense because it really is more about hypothetical wondering.” – Aubrey [07:24]

3. “Supposed” as an Adjective – Z Sound, 3 Syllables

• [07:53] Pronounced: su-ppos-ed (Z sound & 3 syllables).
• Refers to something generally believed or assumed, but not necessarily true.
  • E.g., “Her supposed boyfriend never calls her.” [08:25]
  • “It's kind of critical... and you're questioning the people who made that claim.” – Aubrey & Lindsay [08:20]
• Context is critical—it’s spelled the same as “supposed to” but used differently.

4. “Supposed to” Phrase – S Sound Explanation

• [08:41] to [09:44] “Supposed to” is a fixed chunk meaning “expected to” or “meant to.”
• Despite the spelling with “ed,” the “d” sound disappears; pronounced “suppose to.”
  • Only with “to” does the S sound get used.
  • E.g., “This medicine is supposed to help with headaches.” [09:16]
  • “We were supposed to meet at noon, but he was late.” [09:44]

Pronunciation Tip

• Elision occurs: The “ed” is dropped, and the phrase runs together, especially in fast speech.

• "Everyone’s supposed to be at the restaurant by 6:30.” [11:51]

  “Depending on how quickly someone’s talking, if they’re in a hurry, that’s definitely going to be collapsed. Everyone’s supposed to be...” – Aubrey [12:57]

5. Role Play: Real-Life Examples

• [11:47] Lindsay and Aubrey act out planning a surprise birthday party, weaving both forms into their exchange:

  • “Everyone is supposed to be at the restaurant by 6:30, right?” [11:51]
  • “I suppose I could see if I can leave early.” [12:08]

• The role play shows the natural switching between forms and elided pronunciation that native speakers use.

6. Key Pronunciation: Elision & Connected Speech

• [13:50] Elision described—how “supposed to” loses the “d” sound and how syllables are dropped for speed and flow in real conversation.
• This is a common feature in other English “chunks” as well.

“When you have these words ‘supposed’ with the ‘ed’ and ‘to’—supposed to—there’s elision in spoken English where that ‘ed’ is replaced by the ‘t’ sound in ‘to’.” – Aubrey [13:50]

7. Practical Takeaways & Encouragement

• [15:06] Aubrey:
  “When it comes to ‘suppose’ with that Z sound and ‘supposed to,’ these are very different meanings… One is a verb and then it can also be an adjective… when in doubt, connection not perfection.”

• Lindsay:
  “The more listening you do, you’ll start to hear how these are pronounced and you’ll know it. Some amount of learning English is really just taking in the input.” [15:34]

• Be patient—understanding comes with exposure and practice, especially by listening to native speakers.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• [04:10] “There’s not always a rule for everything.... Sometimes it’s just a matter of listening more often.” — Lindsay
• [05:52] “Suppose definitely implies you’re not totally sure.” — Aubrey
• [07:24] “I’ve never heard someone use ‘suppose’ in the past tense.” — Aubrey
• [08:41] “It’s pronounced so differently, and it has an entirely different meaning.” — Aubrey
• [09:08] “‘Supposed to’ means expected to.” — Aubrey
• [12:08] “I suppose I could see if I can leave early.” — Lindsay
• [13:50] “When you have these words ‘supposed’ with the ‘ed’ and ‘to’—supposed to—there’s elision in spoken English...” — Aubrey
• [15:06] “Connection not perfection…” — Aubrey

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:21] – Listener question about “suppose” vs “supposed to”
• [04:42] - [07:06] – Usage and nuance of “suppose” (Z sound) as a verb
• [07:53] - [08:41] – “Supposed” as an adjective; differences in meaning/pronunciation
• [08:41] - [09:44] – Introduction and explanation of “supposed to” (S sound)
• [11:47] - [12:48] – Role play: integrating both forms naturally
• [13:50] – Elision and pronunciation tips
• [15:06] – Wrap-up and final takeaways

Final Takeaway

The episode demystifies the tricky “suppose/supposed to” divide by demonstrating meaning, usage, and real-world pronunciation. Lindsay and Aubrey stress context, the importance of practice, and the All Ears English motto: connection not perfection. Mastery comes through attentive listening and repeated exposure.

If you want to speak English more naturally—and confidently—start tuning your ear to these subtle differences. And remember: focus on making connections, not on getting every detail perfect!