mean across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'mean across' is not correct in written English.
You could use the phrase 'mean over' instead. Example: The average temperature over the past two weeks was meant to be higher, but ended up being mean over 10 degrees Celsius.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did you mean 100?

Harvard University

I mean 17 percent of G.D.P.

The New York Times

I do not mean LABOR.

The New York Times

It does not mean 2 beats 1.

Yale University

"It does not mean 80percentt compliance.

The New York Times - Sports

"I mean, 99.5percentt -- we've never seen that," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

That doesn't mean 100percentt of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

But that did not mean 20percentt of U.S. uranium reserves.

The Washington Post

Infusions did not affect dry matter intake (mean 18 kg/d).

Journal of Dairy Science

Did you mean 0.5%?

Science Magazine

The party does not mean TME.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "average across", "convey across", or other contextually appropriate phrases to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Common error

Be mindful of using correct prepositional phrases. While "across" is a valid preposition, using it with "mean" is grammatically incorrect. Opt for established alternatives like "average over" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean across" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a defined grammatical function in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates its incorrectness. Therefore, it doesn't effectively serve any established grammatical purpose.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mean across" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. There are no instances of its correct usage in the provided data. Instead, consider using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "average across" or other contextually appropriate phrases to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Average over

Focuses on calculating an average across a set of values or a period.

Average throughout

Emphasizes the distribution of an average across a duration or area.

Convey across

Highlights the successful transmission of a message or idea.

Imply across

Refers to hinting at something consistently across different instances.

Signify across

Suggests a meaning that's consistently represented in various contexts.

Intend to convey

Highlights the speaker's purpose in communicating a specific message, focusing on clear delivery.

Aim to communicate

Emphasizes the goal of effectively transmitting information or ideas.

Want to express

Focuses on the desire to share thoughts or feelings, ensuring they are understood by others.

Wish to indicate

Highlights a polite and formal manner of pointing out a specific detail or meaning.

Strive to articulate

Emphasizes the effort made to clearly and effectively express complex ideas or concepts.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "mean across" in a sentence?

Replace "mean across" with grammatically sound alternatives like "average across", or "convey across" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "mean across" ever considered acceptable in informal contexts?

No, "mean across" is generally not considered acceptable, even in informal contexts, due to its grammatical incorrectness. It's better to use clearer and more standard phrases.

What's a more formal way to say what I might incorrectly express using "mean across"?

For formal communication, consider using phrases like "intend to convey" or "aim to communicate" to maintain a professional tone.

Are there specific situations where "mean across" might be misinterpreted?

Yes, using "mean across" can lead to misinterpretations because it does not conform to standard English grammar. This lack of clarity can confuse readers or listeners. It's best to use more precise language.