meaning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meaning to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate intention or purpose behind an action or statement. Example: "I was meaning to call you yesterday, but I got caught up with work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I've been meaning to".

The New York Times - Magazine

Or no meaning to some.

The New York Times

"To add meaning to it.

The New Yorker

It brings meaning to everything I do.

The New Yorker

At times, abandon meaning to impulse.

The New Yorker

He gave new meaning to hands-on.

The New York Times

It gives new meaning to human values.

The New York Times

We give new meaning to being economical.

The New York Times

I keep meaning to find out.

The New York Times

The verb meaning to hate is "loathe".

The New York Times

The writer gives allegorical meaning to this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meaning to" when you want to express an intention that has not yet been fulfilled. This indicates a plan or desire that is still pending action.

Common error

Avoid using "meaning to" when the action has already been completed. Instead of saying "I was meaning to call you, and I did", it's more appropriate to say "I meant to call you, and I did".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meaning to" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase indicating intention or purpose. It often precedes an infinitive verb, expressing an unfulfilled action or plan. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate its use in expressing delayed or pending actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meaning to" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to convey an intention or plan, often one that has not yet been fulfilled. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various domains such as News & Media and Science. It functions as part of a verb phrase, communicating a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "intending to" and "planning to" exist, "meaning to" specifically implies a delayed or pending action. Understanding its proper usage and avoiding common errors like using it for completed actions will enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to

This alternative directly substitutes "meaning" with "intending", emphasizing the intention behind an action.

planning to

Replaces "meaning" with "planning", highlighting the aspect of having a plan to do something.

aiming to

Focuses on the aim or goal one has in mind, similar to having an intention.

desiring to

Emphasizes the desire or wish to do something, presenting a more emotive intent.

wanting to

A more straightforward expression of desire or intention.

thinking of

Suggests a consideration or contemplation of an action, implying a less firm intention.

considering to

Implies a thoughtful examination of potentially doing something.

proposing to

Implies the act of suggesting or planning to take a course of action, often in a formal context.

setting out to

Conveys the act of beginning with a specific intention or goal.

purposing to

A more formal and less common way of expressing a determined intention or aim.

FAQs

How can I use "meaning to" in a sentence?

You can use "meaning to" to express an intention or plan to do something that hasn't been done yet. For example, "I've been meaning to visit the museum, but I haven't had the time".

What's the difference between "meaning to" and "intending to"?

"Meaning to" and "intending to" are quite similar. "Meaning to" often implies a longer duration of the unfulfilled intention. "Intending to" can express a more immediate or active intention.

Is it correct to say "I am meaning to"?

While grammatically possible, "I am meaning to" is less common. It's generally better to use "I have been meaning to" or "I meant to" depending on the context and whether the action is ongoing or past.

What can I say instead of "I've been meaning to"?

You can use alternatives like "I've been "planning to"", "I've "intended to"", or "I've been "wanting to"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.