I meant about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I meant about" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incomplete.
It can be used when clarifying or specifying what you were referring to in a previous statement, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "What I meant about the project was that we need to focus on the timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He finally understood what I meant about trouble and practice.

University of California, Berkeley

But he knew exactly what I meant about the sandwiches being weighed down by intangible value.

The Washington Post

"That's fair, that's what I meant about this scattergun approach," he responds.

The Guardian

But what I meant about #MeToo being divisive is that we have to get men on board … it goes back to Jordan Peterson.

The Guardian

"I don't know what he thought I meant about 'problem'," Mr. Yauger said, adding that Mr. O'Shea had said nothing about Miss Moore being a strange character.

The New York Times

"Who," he asked, "is Willie Brown?" "That's what I meant about 15 years from now, nobody's going to know you played," Parcells continued.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

IR: That's what I mean about morally grey areas.

The Guardian - Books

"See what I mean about big houses?" says Henri. "Another extra room".

The Guardian - Travel

You see what I mean about quantity.

The New York Times

What I mean about that.

The Guardian

That's what I mean about authenticity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "I meant about" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer phrases like "What I meant was" or "I was referring to" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "What I meant about was…", which redundantly combines the incorrect "I meant about" with "What I meant was". Choose one clear and grammatically correct way to express your clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I meant about" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't have a clearly defined function in standard English. While Ludwig examples show it appearing in text, it's likely due to informal speech or writing. The intended function is usually to clarify a previous statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I meant about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing and speech. While Ludwig examples demonstrate its occasional appearance in published sources, it is not considered standard English. It's meant to clarify a previous statement, but this should be done with phrases like "What I meant was" or "I was referring to". The frequency of "I meant about" is uncommon, and its use is spread across News & Media and Academia. Always aim for grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing by using correct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I meant was

Replaces the preposition 'about' with the verb 'was' to create a grammatically sound sentence structure, clarifying the speaker's intention.

I was referring to

Offers a more formal and precise way to indicate that the speaker is clarifying a previous statement.

I was talking about

Indicates the topic of the previous conversation, replacing 'meant' with 'talking' for clarity.

I intended to say

Focuses on the speaker's intention, providing a clearer way to rephrase a statement.

What I was trying to say was

Emphasizes the effort to communicate a specific point, offering a more elaborate clarification.

I wanted to clarify

Directly states the intention to make something clearer, avoiding the ambiguous 'meant about'.

Let me rephrase that

Signals that the speaker will express the same idea in different words for better understanding.

To be more specific

Introduces a more detailed explanation of a previous statement, ensuring better comprehension.

I meant to convey

Focuses on the message the speaker wanted to communicate, replacing 'about' with 'to convey'.

In other words

Signals a simpler explanation of what was previously said, aiding understanding.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase to clarify something I said?

Instead of using the ungrammatical phrase "I meant about", use phrases such as "What I meant was", or "I was referring to". For example, instead of saying "I meant about the deadline", you can say "What I meant was, the deadline is next Friday".

What's a more formal way to say "I meant about"?

For formal contexts, avoid "I meant about" entirely. Use alternatives like "I was referring to" or "I intended to convey". For example, "I was referring to the budget constraints outlined in the proposal" sounds more professional.

Is "I meant about" ever considered correct in casual conversation?

While you might hear "I meant about" in very informal speech, it is not grammatically correct. It's always better to use standard English, even in casual settings. Consider using a more concise alternative like "I meant" followed by a clear explanation.

What are some common mistakes people make when trying to clarify something they've said?

One common mistake is using redundant phrases like "What I meant about was". Another is simply restating the original unclear statement without providing further clarification. Always aim for clarity and precision when rephrasing.