apparently meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparently meaning" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to introduce an explanation or interpretation of something that may not be immediately clear or obvious. Example: The painting, with its bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors, apparently means to depict a sense of chaos and confusion within the human mind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Why am I a salve?" he continued, apparently meaning "slave".

The New York Times

He said the embassy's behaviour had been "utterly unacceptable" and called on America to "deal with" those responsible, apparently meaning diplomats who had helped Mr Chen.

The Economist

The movie, which opens today at Cinema Village, is set "a decade after the Great Defeat," apparently meaning World War II.

The New York Times

But the bill makes the date a "hard cut-off," apparently meaning the bill eliminates those "emergency measures" the Treasury uses to avoid default (read more here).

The Guardian

"It's about past 7 in the evening here so we're actually in different time lines," he said, apparently meaning time zones.

The New York Times

Davis once commented to Shorter that he needed to be "exposed", apparently meaning that his talents deserved wider recognition, and Carolina took the comment to heart.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The nature of words began to acquire an (apparently) settled meaning.

The Economist

Yet President Bush, apparently without meaning to, crippled President Kim last year.

The New York Times

But reports of their demise were as exaggerated as their platform heels: saying goodbye in the right way didn't, apparently, involve meaning it.

Independent

A leading clue that points to music-specific structures, yet is so far not conclusive, is that many features of music are universal as well as apparently innate, meaning present at birth.

The New York Times - Science

Mrs. Astor, by her own published admission, had not been the world's greatest mother — even if, as Kiernan writes (apparently not meaning to poke fun), "she felt a special responsibility for her son's well-being".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparently meaning" to introduce an interpretation when the intended meaning might not be immediately obvious to the reader. This ensures clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "apparently meaning" excessively, as it can make your writing sound tentative or uncertain. If the meaning is genuinely clear, state it directly without hedging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparently meaning" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase that qualifies the verb that follows, indicating an interpretation or understanding of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a suggested or inferred meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apparently meaning" is a commonly used phrase that serves to introduce an interpretation or clarification of a term or statement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When writing, use "apparently meaning" to guide the reader's understanding when the meaning might not be immediately obvious but avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "understood to mean" or "seemingly signifying" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently signifying

Is almost perfectly interchangeable with QUERY.

understood to mean

Highlights a generally accepted interpretation.

taken to signify

Emphasizes how something is interpreted or understood by others.

seemingly signifying

Emphasizes the appearance or impression of meaning something.

seemingly indicating

Emphasizes how something appears to point towards a specific meaning.

interpreted as denoting

Focuses on the act of interpretation and the specific meaning assigned.

ostensibly implying

Highlights the stated or presented meaning, which may not be the true meaning.

evidently suggesting

Highlights that the meaning is clear or obvious from the available evidence.

purportedly denoting

Suggests that the meaning is claimed but possibly not factual.

giving the impression of meaning

Focuses on the impression or feeling that something conveys a particular meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "apparently meaning" in a sentence?

Use "apparently meaning" to introduce an interpretation or explanation of a word or phrase that might not be immediately clear. For example, "The term 'organic', apparently meaning grown without pesticides, is often misunderstood".

What are some alternatives to "apparently meaning"?

You can use alternatives like "understood to mean", "interpreted as", or "seemingly signifying", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "apparently" and "meaning" together?

While "apparently" and "meaning" might seem somewhat redundant, their combination emphasizes that the interpretation is based on appearance or inference, rather than being explicitly stated. It adds a nuance of uncertainty or interpretation.

What is the difference between "apparently meaning" and "clearly meaning"?

"Apparently meaning" suggests that the meaning is inferred from the available information, while "clearly meaning" implies that the meaning is straightforward and easily understood. Choose the phrase that best reflects the certainty of your interpretation.