it's mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's mean" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's behavior or words as unkind or hurtful. Example: "When she made fun of his mistake, I thought to myself, 'Wow, it's mean to say that.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yep, it's mean, but when one's body is misshapen, one's brain follows.

Huffington Post

"People here think it's mean to refer to Peter's father by a pie, though it came from the original book.

BBC

8.51pm ET: Meanwhile, Hadley's Cowell-inflicted breakdown continues apace: It's not just fake - it's mean!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's mean.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's mean," he says.

The Guardian - Music

And it's mean.

The Guardian - Sport

So, it's mean reverting now.

Yale University

It's mean and it's necessary".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He added: "It's mean-spirited.

The New York Times - Sports

It's mean-spirited, it's petty, and it's gone on for much too long.

The New Yorker

"It's mean-spirited, it's petty, and it's gone on for much too long," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's mean" to directly express disapproval of unkind or hurtful behavior. Be mindful of the context and audience, as the phrase can sometimes be perceived as overly blunt or confrontational.

Common error

While "it's mean" is perfectly acceptable in informal settings, consider using more nuanced or sophisticated language in formal writing. Alternatives like "that is unkind", "that is insensitive", or "that is unfair" may be more appropriate for professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's mean" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative judgment about an action, behavior, or statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used in English to denote unkindness or hurtfulness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it's mean" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey disapproval or criticism of unkind or hurtful behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in English. While versatile, it's often more appropriate for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "that is unkind" or "that is inconsiderate". The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in wiki sources. To add nuance to your writing, consider using synonyms like "that's cruel" or "that's insensitive", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's unkind

Replaces "mean" with "unkind", softening the tone slightly.

that's cruel

Substitutes "mean" with "cruel", intensifying the negative connotation.

that's harsh

Uses "harsh" instead of "mean", emphasizing the severity of the action or statement.

that's insensitive

Replaces "mean" with "insensitive", focusing on the lack of consideration for others' feelings.

that's thoughtless

Emphasizes the lack of consideration with the word "thoughtless".

that's unfair

Highlights the injustice of the situation.

that's inconsiderate

Focuses on the lack of regard for others' feelings or needs.

that's malicious

Replaces "mean" with a stronger word implying intent to harm.

that's spiteful

Suggests the action is motivated by ill will or resentment.

that's nasty

Emphasizes the unpleasantness of the action or statement.

FAQs

How can I use "it's mean" in a sentence?

You can use "it's mean" to express disapproval of someone's actions or words, indicating they are unkind or hurtful. For example: "It's mean to make fun of someone's appearance."

What are some alternatives to saying "it's mean"?

You can use alternatives like "that's unkind", "that's cruel", or "that's insensitive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it's mean" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it's mean" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "that is unkind" or "that is inconsiderate".

What's the difference between saying "it's mean" and "it's rude"?

"It's mean" typically implies a deliberate intention to cause hurt or offense, while "it's rude" suggests a lack of etiquette or consideration, without necessarily implying malicious intent. While the two words can be related, "it's rude" is more focused on the adherence of social norms.