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Mean

Understanding​

We use mean to explain or ask what a word or phrase refers to. We form questions with mean with the auxiliary verb do:

  • What does ‘strike’ mean?
  • Not: What means ‘strike’?
warning

We don’t normally use mean in the continuous form when we are talking about expressing ideas:

  • What does that sign mean?
  • Not: What is that sign meaning?

Talking about intentions​

We use mean to clarify something that we have said or to explain what we intended to say:

  • A: You have to take the road by the church.
  • B: Which church?
  • A: Here’s what I mean, Lynn: there are two roads ahead. Take the right-hand road.

We use mean followed by a to-infinitive to express intentions:

  • Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.
  • I meant to call you before I left. I forgot.

We often use keep meaning to for longer-term intentions:

  • I’ve got to go to the dentist. I keep meaning to make an appointment.

Talking about significance​

We use mean to say that something is important or significant:

  • The bracelet meant a lot to her. It had belonged to her grandmother.
  • Does this name mean anything to you?

Mean: result in​

We can use mean + noun to talk about one thing resulting in another:

  • Higher fuel prices will mean higher airfares. (will result in or involve)

Talking about necessity or obligation​

We use mean + -ing form to talk about something necessary or the result of something:

  • I’ll have to catch the 7 am train to Nottingham, which means getting up at 5 am. (I need to get up at 5 am.)

We also use the passive be meant to to express obligation. It has a similar meaning to ‘be supposed to’:

  • Why are you watching TV? You’re meant to be working.
See also
  • Modality: expressions with be

Mean by​

We can use mean by to ask what somebody is specifically thinking of when they use a word or phrase:

  • A: We don’t want to discourage her from studying.
  • B: It depends what you mean by ‘discourage’.
  • A: Well, I mean make her think we can’t afford to pay for her.

Means (noun)​

Even though it ends in an ‘s’, means is a singular noun. We use a singular verb with it. We use it to talk about a method of doing something:

  • The most economical means of travelling to Aberdeen is by plane. (the most economical method or way)
  • Not: … most economical mean … or … most economical means are …

I mean​

Spoken English:

We use I mean very commonly in speaking as a discourse marker. We use it when we want to add to what we have just said, to make a point clearer or to correct what we have just said:

  • The law is not fair. I mean, it’s just not right that he didn’t go to prison. (adding)
  • It cost over £200. I mean, that’s more than most of us can afford. (making something clearer)
  • We need to ask Helen, I mean Harriet. (correcting)

We often use I mean when hesitating, to make something negative less strong or to soften a disagreement:

  • A: What do you think of Ben?
  • B: Well, I mean, he’s not very confident and not always sure what he’s supposed to be doing.
  • I think Peter probably has a strong view about that. It’s interesting … I mean I … what I said earlier and I mean Peter might disagree with me.

When we are not sure what to say, we sometimes use I mean. We often pause before or after it:

  • She’s not coming back, er I mean, erm … she and I have broken up.
warning

We don’t use I mean to introduce opinions. It is not the same as I think:

  • I think we should stay at the Lakeside Inn.
  • Not: I mean we should stay at the Lakeside Inn.

You know what I mean​

Spoken English:

We often use the phrase you know what I mean (or if you know what I mean or do you know what I mean?) in speaking, to check that our listener understands what we are saying or to show that we assume the listener has the same opinion about something:

  • A: I just can’t go to Norah’s house.
  • B: Why’s that?
  • A: I just don’t like all the cats. You know what I mean? They’re everywhere even in the beds.
  • B: Yeah, I have to say I’m not a fan of cats either. (A is checking that B understands that she doesn’t like all the cats in Norah’s house and she assumes that B is going to understand)
  • Ken isn’t very helpful, if you know what I mean.
  • We’ve got white on the walls in the back room now, but I think he feels as though, pink is not the right colour for the front room, do you know what I mean?
See also
  • Discourse markers (so, right, okay)

Mean: typical errors​

We use auxiliary do in questions with mean:

  • What does ‘rosehip’ mean?
  • Not: What means ‘rosehip’?

We don’t use I mean to introduce opinions:

  • I think people shouldn’t start university until they are 20.
  • Not: I mean people shouldn’t …

Means is a singular noun. We use a singular verb with it:

  • A very relaxing means of transport is the train.
  • Not: … very relaxing mean of transport are the train.