mean to do

USAGE SUMMARY

"mean to do" is an accepted phrase in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example: "He meant to do the right thing, but instead he made a mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They mean to do something next session.

The New Yorker

We didn't mean to do it.

Stanford University

"I didn't mean to do that".

The Guardian - Sport

Spurrier doesn't mean to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

She doesn't mean to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

"What do they mean to do?

The Guardian

"The guy didn't mean to do it.

The New York Times

"I obviously didn't mean to do that.

The New York Times - Sports

What does it mean to do good work?

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We meant to do better.

The New Yorker

"They're meant to do a job".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mean to do" to express intentions or planned actions, ensuring the context clearly indicates whether the action was deliberate or unintentional.

Common error

Avoid using "mean to do" when describing purely accidental events. Opt for phrases like "didn't intend to" or "it happened by accident" to accurately convey the lack of intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean to do" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing intention or purpose. Ludwig examples show it being used to clarify whether an action was deliberate or accidental. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mean to do" is a common and grammatically sound way to express intention or purpose. As Ludwig AI and the provided examples demonstrate, it frequently appears in News & Media and academic contexts. When using "mean to do", ensure clarity regarding whether the action was intentional. Alternatives like "intend to do" or "plan to do" can add nuance. Remember that "meant to do" is the past tense form. The prevalence of "mean to do" across diverse sources confirms its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to do

Focuses more on deliberate planning and purpose.

plan to do

Emphasizes the creation of a strategy or course of action.

aim to do

Highlights the objective or goal one is trying to achieve.

purpose to do

Suggests a determined resolution to accomplish something.

want to do

Expresses a desire or wish to perform an action.

expect to do

Indicates an anticipation or belief that an action will occur.

set out to do

Implies beginning a task with a specific intention.

strive to do

Suggests making an effort or working hard to achieve something.

undertake to do

Indicates taking on a responsibility or commitment.

aspire to do

Highlights having a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I use "mean to do" in a sentence?

You can use "mean to do" to express an intention or purpose. For example, "I didn't "mean to do" that; it was an accident."

What does "mean to do" imply?

"Mean to do" implies that an action was intentional or planned. It suggests a degree of purposefulness behind the action.

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

"Meant to do" is the past tense form, used to describe an intention in the past. "Mean to do" is the present tense form, used to describe a current intention.

What are some alternatives to "mean to do"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intend to do", "plan to do", or "aim to do".