mean doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"mean doing" is not grammatically correct in written English.
To say something is "meaning to do" something, the correct construction would be "meant to do" or "meaning to do." Example sentence: I meant to do my homework earlier, but got sidetracked.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Frugality doesn't mean doing less.

The New York Times

But that doesn't mean doing nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

It used to mean doing without; it came to mean doing with.

The New Yorker

Secondly, not divesting does not mean doing nothing.

The Guardian

And not just digging — I mean doing an investigation".

The New Yorker

Believing in fiscal responsibility doesn't mean doing nothing.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that would mean doing something quite different with the lens.

The Guardian

"Sometimes, efficiency will mean doing these things regionally rather than locally".

The New York Times

Thanks to new technology, it can mean doing better and smarter and cheaper.

The New York Times

But achievement could just mean doing everyday things most whites didn't imagine you doing.

The New York Times - Books

I mean, doing 'Pacific Overtures' is not being in anybody's fashion.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing intention, use "meant to do" for past intentions or "meaning to do" for present intentions to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "mean doing" as it's grammatically incorrect. Instead, clarify the timing of your intention by using either "meant to do" (past) or "meaning to do" (present). For example, instead of saying "I mean doing it later", say "I mean to do it later" or "I am meaning to do it later".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean doing" functions as a verb phrase that attempts to express intention or purpose. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect. The intended function is typically to connect a subject with an action they intend to perform.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

19%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "mean doing" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is usually to express intention, which is better conveyed through phrases like "meant to do" (for past intentions) or "meaning to do" (for current intentions). Although prevalent in news and media, adhering to correct grammar is crucial, especially in formal or professional contexts. Therefore, it's advisable to use the suggested alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to do

Uses the past participle of "mean" to indicate a prior intention.

meaning to do

Uses the present participle to describe the action of intending.

intend to do

Replaces "mean doing" with a more formal expression of intention.

aim to do

Suggests having a goal or objective to accomplish.

plan to do

Indicates a scheduled or considered action.

expect to do

Expresses anticipation of performing an action.

want to do

Indicates a wish or desire to carry out an action.

propose to do

Suggests offering or suggesting an action.

hope to do

Expresses optimism or expectation regarding a future action.

desire to do

Conveys a strong wish or longing to perform an action.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express intention: "mean doing" or "meant to do"?

"Mean doing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form to express a past intention is "meant to do".

When should I use "meaning to do" instead of "mean doing"?

Use "meaning to do" to express a current or ongoing intention. "Mean doing" is not grammatically correct.

What are some alternatives to "mean doing" that are grammatically correct?

Instead of "mean doing", you can use phrases like "intend to do", "plan to do", or "aim to do".

Is "mean doing" ever appropriate in formal writing?

No, "mean doing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "intended to do" or "meant to do".