as a mean to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a means to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It usually conveys the idea that something is being done in order to achieve a particular goal or purpose. For example: She used her savings as a means to pay for college.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The use of new technical tools as a mean to increase the motivation and improve the education of students is an intriguing and pressing issue.

Computers in Human Behavior

This is presented as a mean to understand energy dissipation.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

NeuroVault also accepts NIDM-Results packs as a mean to upload new data to a collection.

Nature

Interactive displays are widely utilised as a mean to cascade information to the public.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Currently, she uses low frequency focused ultrasound as a mean to open the blood brain barrier and facilitate drug delivery.

Stanford University

The predictions using CFD techniques are promising as a mean to speed up the particle design process.

Powder Technology

Separation and recovery of the biodegradable fraction of municipal solid waste is encouraged as a mean to produce bioenergy.

Applied Energy

Material bend-twist coupling (BTC) as a mean to passively alleviate wind turbine blade loads is assessed.

Composite Structures

Special emphasis is placed on crack pattern evaluation as a mean to gain better insight into matrix/fabric bond quality.

Composite Structures

Our findings point out to the importance of competition between financial traders, as opposed to restricting their participation, as a mean to avoid manipulation and increase market efficiency.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The visit is intended both as a mean to discuss options with Ukraine's leaders face-to-face and as a very visible sign of US solidarity with Kiev.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your grammar. "As a mean to" is generally considered incorrect; use "as a means to" instead to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

The most common error is using the singular noun "mean" instead of the plural "means." Remember that "means" refers to a method or resource, while "mean" has different meanings, such as average or unkind.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a mean to" functions as an incorrect introductory phrase indicating purpose or intention. Ludwig identifies its misuse in contexts where a grammatically correct alternative, like "as a means to", is needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

24%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a mean to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct form is "as a means to", which serves to express purpose or intention. Although examples of "as a mean to" exist, particularly within scientific and academic texts, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "in order to" or "so as to" to ensure clarity and maintain credibility. The most common mistake is using the singular "mean" instead of the plural "means", so always double-check your grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a means to

Replaces "mean" with the grammatically correct "means", improving the phrase's overall correctness and clarity.

as a way to

Focuses on the method or approach used to achieve something, similar to "as a means to".

in order to

A more concise and common way to express purpose, omitting "as a mean" altogether.

so as to

Similar to "in order to", this alternative omits "mean" and provides a grammatically sound expression of purpose.

with the aim of

Emphasizes the intention or goal behind an action, rather than simply the method.

for the purpose of

A more formal and explicit way to state the reason for doing something.

with a view to

Highlights the foresight and planning involved in pursuing a particular outcome.

in an effort to

Emphasizes the exertion or attempt made to achieve a specific result.

to

A simple and direct way to express purpose, often suitable for less formal contexts.

intending to

Focuses on the intention or plan to do something. It uses the active verb form of intending.

FAQs

Is "as a mean to" grammatically correct?

No, "as a mean to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "as a means to".

What's the difference between "as a mean to" and "as a means to"?

"As a mean to" is not grammatically correct. "As a means to" is the correct phrase and it means 'in order to achieve something'.

How can I use "as a means to" in a sentence?

You can use "as a means to" to indicate the purpose of an action. For example, "She used her savings as a means to pay for college."

Are there simpler alternatives to "as a means to"?

Yes, you can use simpler alternatives like "in order to", "so as to", or simply "to" followed by a verb.