got the means

USAGE SUMMARY

"got the means" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means having the ability or resources to do something. Example: "I finally got the means to travel to Europe next month." This means that the person has acquired enough money or time to be able to travel to Europe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Most of the people they publish this private information about probably have got the means to sue.

Independent

But he added: "My fear is that they [environment directorate general] haven't got the means to deal with it fully.

The Guardian

Pakistan: It would be madness to recklessly take on another armed group of Pashtuns, setting the frontier alight, when we haven't got the means to cope with it.

The New York Times

"Because the number of people they pick on with a really bad case who have got the means to fight it is infinitesimally small.

Independent

Slowly, as I got the means to acquire some of this stuff, I got auction catalogs: "Wow, I can get this Dubuffet drawing for $5,000 to $7,000?" And it went up from there.

The New York Times - Style

Expertise in relevant areas certainly helps, but in my experience it's about knowing when you've got an idea worth pursuing and whether you've got the means and the passion to carry it out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I wanted to do something different, but now I realize that I got the mean.

The New York Times

LIZ ANN SONDERS: Well, you've got the mean reversion force, too.

Forbes

And we got the mean value.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

They summed the scores and got the mean value.

BMC Public Health

Where am I going to get the means?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got the means" when you want to convey that someone possesses the necessary resources, skills, or opportunities to achieve a specific goal or undertake a particular action. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "got the means" when you actually intend to refer to the desired outcome or goal. "Means" refers to the resources or methods used, while "ends" refers to the final result. Using them interchangeably will confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the means" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject possesses the necessary resources, skills, or opportunities to achieve something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got the means" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies possessing the resources, skills, or opportunities necessary to accomplish something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. With a neutral register, it finds common application in news, media, and scientific domains. While it is not overly frequent, alternatives such as "have the resources" or "possess the capacity" offer similar meanings. Remember to use "got the means" to express capability, but avoid confusing it with "ends", which refers to the desired outcome. Overall, "got the means" is a concise and effective way to indicate that someone is well-equipped to achieve a goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the resources

Focuses specifically on having available resources.

possess the capacity

Emphasizes the inherent ability to do something.

have the ability

Highlights the capability to perform an action.

are equipped to

Implies being prepared and ready for a task.

are in a position to

Suggests having the right circumstances or advantages.

can afford to

Focuses on financial or time-related affordability.

are empowered to

Highlights having the authority or power to act.

have what it takes

An idiomatic expression suggesting the necessary qualities.

are capable of

Emphasizes the inherent ability or skill.

have access to

Indicates the availability of necessary resources or opportunities.

FAQs

How can I use "got the means" in a sentence?

You can use "got the means" to indicate that someone possesses the necessary resources or ability to do something. For example: "After saving for years, she finally "got the means" to travel the world."

What's a formal alternative to "got the means"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "have the resources", "possess the capacity", or "are equipped to". These alternatives maintain a similar meaning while sounding more professional.

Is it correct to say "have got the means" instead of "got the means"?

Yes, both "got the means" and "have got the means" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The form "have got" is more common in British English, while "got" is more prevalent in American English.

What is the difference between "got the means" and "can afford to"?

While both phrases suggest having the ability to do something, "got the means" is broader and can refer to various resources (money, skills, time, etc.). "Can afford to" typically focuses on financial resources or the ability to dedicate time to something.