mean with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “mean with” is not technically correct in written English.
If you want to express something similar, you could say that someone is “stingy with” or “tight-fisted with” something instead. For example, you could say, “My husband is so stingy with money that he won’t even buy our children new clothes.”.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I mean with the hay".

The New Yorker

You mean with the trophy?

The New York Times

"I mean with your fists.

The New Yorker

I mean, with the phones out.

The New Yorker

I mean, with that face?

The New Yorker

You mean with the thing?

The New Yorker

"I mean, with me it's never enough.

The New York Times - Sports

"I mean, with the real lawyers, it's a pride issue.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I mean, with apples, you're growing them on a tree.

The New York Times

I mean, with my body, I feel really like heavy.

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, with HM funny is not intentional.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to convey a reluctance to share or spend, use "stingy with" or "frugal with" instead of "mean with". For instance, "She's very stingy with her vacation time."

Common error

Avoid using "mean with" when trying to express a sense of parsimony or frugality. The correct alternatives are "stingy with" or "economical with". Using "mean with" may confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mean with" is typically intended as a descriptive phrase, attempting to modify a noun or pronoun by indicating a characteristic or behavior. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "mean with" appears in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The intended meaning usually revolves around describing someone as "stingy with" something, but it's best to use more established phrases like ""stingy with"" or ""frugal with"" to ensure clarity and correctness. When in doubt, consider context-appropriate alternatives to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stingy with

Indicates a reluctance to spend or share something; emphasizes a lack of generosity.

tight-fisted with

Similar to "stingy with", but can imply a stronger degree of unwillingness to part with something.

what do you mean by

Used to ask for clarification about the meaning of something someone said.

what do you mean

A more concise way to ask for clarification about the intended meaning.

what are you implying

Asks someone to clarify what they are suggesting without stating directly.

what is your point

Asks someone to directly state what they are trying to say, when their intention isn't clear.

parsimonious with

Indicates careful and frugal use of resources, often related to money or supplies.

economical with

Describes someone who avoids waste and manages resources carefully.

frugal with

Highlights being thrifty and avoiding unnecessary spending.

miserly with

Suggests extreme unwillingness to spend money, even when necessary.

FAQs

What does "mean with" typically imply in sentences where it's used?

When people use "mean with", they often intend to express that someone is unwilling to share something, similar to being "stingy with" or "frugal with" resources, time, or money.

How can I correct a sentence that incorrectly uses "mean with"?

Replace "mean with" with a more appropriate phrase like ""stingy with"", "economical with", or "parsimonious with", depending on the intended meaning. For example, instead of "He is mean with compliments", say "He is stingy with compliments".

Is "mean with" grammatically correct in standard English?

No, "mean with" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often seen in colloquial or non-native English. Instead, use established phrases like ""stingy with"" or "economical with" for clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "mean with" and "stingy with"?

"Mean with" is generally considered ungrammatical and non-idiomatic. "Stingy with" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone who is unwilling to give or share something freely.