mean to

USAGE SUMMARY

"mean to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate intention or purpose. For example, "I meant to call you earlier, but I got busy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Grandma didn't mean to".

The New Yorker

Did she mean to die?

The New Yorker

But they mean to be.

The New York Times

I don't mean to exaggerate.

The New Yorker

I don't mean to sermonize.

The New York Times

"I certainly didn't mean to".

The New Yorker

I didn't mean to offend".

The New York Times

"I don't mean to impose".

The New Yorker

"I mean to," Sidney replied.

The New Yorker

I didn't mean to, though.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't mean to.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mean to" when expressing a prior intention, especially when explaining why something was or wasn't done. For example, "I meant to call you yesterday, but I got caught up in meetings."

Common error

Avoid using "mean to" interchangeably with phrases like "supposed to" when indicating obligation rather than intention. "I was supposed to call you" implies a duty, while "I meant to call you" implies an intention that wasn't fulfilled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating intention or purpose. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to express a planned action, whether fulfilled or not. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in both affirmative and negative contexts, such as "I didn't mean to offend" or "I mean to support friends in need."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mean to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express intention or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. While its primary function is to convey planned actions, it's important to differentiate it from similar phrases like "supposed to", which implies obligation. The phrase's prevalence in news and media, as well as in wikis, underscores its common usage in both formal and informal settings. Remember to use "mean to" to express a prior intention, especially when explaining why something was or wasn't done.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to

Focuses specifically on the plan or aim one has in mind.

plan to

Highlights the scheduled or arranged nature of the intention.

aim to

Emphasizes the goal or objective one is trying to achieve.

purpose to

Stresses a determined intention or resolve.

resolve to

Suggests a firm decision to do something.

have the intention of

A more formal way to express having a particular aim.

have in mind to

Emphasizes what one is thinking about doing.

set out to

Indicates starting a course of action with a specific intention.

be going to

A common way to express future intentions.

desire to

Highlights the wish or longing to do something.

FAQs

How to use "mean to" in a sentence?

The phrase "mean to" is used to express intention. For example, "I didn't "mean to" interrupt you" shows you did not intend to interrupt someone.

What can I say instead of "mean to"?

You can use alternatives like "intend to", "plan to", or "aim to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mean to" or "meant to"?

"Mean to" is the present tense form, used for stating a current intention. "Meant to" is the past tense form, used for expressing a past intention, as in "I "meant to" call you yesterday".

What's the difference between "mean to" and "supposed to"?

"Mean to" indicates intention, while "supposed to" indicates obligation or expectation. "I "mean to" clean my room" expresses your intention. "I am "supposed to" clean my room" expresses an obligation.