in this means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in this means' is not correct in written English; instead, you would use 'by this means'. To use it, you would typically be referring to a specific action or method used to achieve a certain outcome. For example, "By this means, we can reduce our carbon footprint significantly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Chris Pine once starred in This Means War, in which he battled Tom Hardy for the hand of Reese Witherspoon.

The Guardian - Film

The filmmakers try a variation on this kiss-kiss, bang-bang theme in "This Means War," with Tuck and FDR remaining undercover while wooing the unsuspecting Lauren.

The New York Times

For instance, there was allegedly 1min 10sec of the Titanic score used in This Means War, 33sec of Cast Away featured in Bridesmaids, 35sec of Battle for the Planet of the Apes used in Argo and 2min 23sec of Close Encounters of the Third Kind used in Labor Day, without necessary compensation.

The Guardian - Film

In two weeks... Seniors Judi Dench and Maggie Smith check in to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel … In three weeks... Spies fight over Reese Witherspoon in This Means War … Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd explore alternative lifestyles in Wanderlust … In a month... Pixar's Martian epic John Carter … Robert Pattinson sleeps his way through Paris in Bel Ami ….

The Guardian - Film

Sue has been the star of her own life for 55 years and I think the reason she was in this means that she can recruit more people into her wresting 'family'family

Vice

Let your new horses settle in This means no riding or work over the first few days.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In Macau, this means gaming.

Independent

In practice, this means Etonians.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Britain this means the uplands.

The Guardian

In education, this means voucher plans.

The New York Times

In practice, this means public nudity.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by this means" to indicate the method or action through which something is achieved. For instance, "By this means, we can improve efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "in this means" as it's grammatically incorrect. Opt for "by this means" to denote a method or action leading to a result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in this means" is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a standard grammatical function in English. Ludwig AI confirms that "by this means" is a more appropriate alternative. Despite being incorrect, in certain contexts, the phrase is used for clarification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in this means" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "by this means" as a more appropriate and grammatically sound alternative. While the intended purpose is often to clarify or explain something, the grammatical error undermines its effectiveness. It appears infrequently and its usage is primarily in neutral to informal contexts, like news articles and general explanations. When aiming for precise and formal writing, it's best to avoid "in this means" and opt for clearer alternatives like "by this means", "this implies", or "this indicates".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in this context, this means

Specifies that the meaning is specific to the current context.

by this, I mean

Adds clarity by explicitly stating the intention behind the phrase.

this is to say

Introduces a clarification or restatement of the previous point.

this implies

Changes the structure to emphasize implication rather than direct meaning.

this indicates

Shifts the focus to indication, suggesting a less direct connection.

to put it another way

Provides an alternative phrasing to enhance understanding.

this signifies

Replaces "means" with "signifies", implying a symbolic or deeper meaning.

more specifically

Offers a more precise and detailed explanation.

this suggests

Uses "suggests" to convey a hint or a possibility, rather than a certainty.

this entails

Replaces "means" with "entails", indicating a necessary consequence.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "in this means" in a sentence?

The phrase "in this means" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate alternative would be "by this means", which indicates a method or action. For example, "By this means, we can achieve our goals efficiently".

What can I say instead of "in this means"?

Alternatives to "in this means" include phrases like "this implies", "this indicates", or "by this I mean", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Which is correct, "in this means" or "by this means"?

"By this means" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "In this means" is not standard English usage.

How does using "by this means" change the meaning compared to alternatives?

Using "by this means" specifically emphasizes the method or action through which a result is achieved. Other phrases, like "this implies", might suggest a less direct or causal relationship.