it was means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was means' is not grammatically correct.
You could use the phrase 'it was meant' instead. For example, "It was meant to be a surprise, but I couldn't keep it a secret any longer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Storytelling is important in Lao culture, says Amy, as it was means of passing down traditions, religion and culture to the next generation.

BBC

I was struggling for pace and managing to hold him off all race when it was as close as it was means it was one of my favourite wins.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It used to be available for divorce cases, though there were limits and it was means-tested.

The Guardian

It was meant to.

The Economist

It was mean-spirited".

The New York Times

It was meant to be".

The New York Times

"It was mean," Enright recalled.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was meant to be," he says.

Independent

"Somehow it was meant to be".

The New York Times

I guess it was meant to be.

Independent

It was meant to be experienced.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express purpose or intention, replace the incorrect phrase "it was means" with grammatically sound alternatives such as "it was meant to", "it was intended to", or "it was designed to".

Common error

Avoid using "means" when you actually intend to convey purpose or intention. "Means" refers to a method or resource, while "meant" implies a plan or design. For example, don't say "It was means to help", instead, say "It was meant to help".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was means" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies it as an error. Grammatically, it fails to follow standard English sentence structure, where 'means' doesn't fit as a direct complement to 'was' in most intended contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was means" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a standard or accepted English construction. If you intend to convey purpose, design, or function, consider using alternatives such as "it was meant to", "it was intended to", or "it was designed to". These alternatives maintain grammatical accuracy and are more suitable for professional communication. While the rare examples identified by Ludwig come from generally authoritative sources, the grammatical error outweighs the source quality, making the phrase unreliable for effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intended to

Focuses on the intended purpose or design, rather than the actual function or attribute.

it was supposed to

Emphasizes expectation or plan, suggesting an arrangement or expectation that may or may not have been fulfilled.

it was designed to

Highlights the design aspect, focusing on the planned functionality or appearance.

it was meant to be

Suggests a sense of destiny or predetermination, implying an inevitable outcome.

it was a way of

Focuses on the method or approach used, indicating a means of achieving a particular result.

it was a method for

Specifically indicates a process or technique used for a particular purpose.

it served as a means to

Highlights the function of something as a tool or instrument to achieve a specific goal.

it functioned as a way to

Focuses on the operational role, describing how something was used to achieve a particular result.

it characteristically was

Describes a typical attribute or quality, emphasizing a usual or expected characteristic.

it typically involved

Highlights the usual components or actions, emphasizing the common elements of a process or activity.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express intention if I mistakenly use "it was means"?

Replace "it was means" with phrases like "it was meant to", "it was intended to", or "it was supposed to" to properly convey the intended purpose or design.

How does "it was meant to" differ in meaning from "it was means"?

"It was means" is grammatically incorrect. "It was meant to" indicates a purpose or plan, such as "It was meant to be a surprise".

Can I use "it was means" in any context, and if not, why?

No, "it was means" is not grammatically correct in standard English. You should use phrases like "it was a way of" or "it served as a means to" when describing a method or resource.

What are some common alternatives to "it was means" that I can use in my writing?

Instead of "it was means", consider using alternatives such as "it was designed to", "it was a method for", or "it functioned as a way to" to better express your intended meaning.