meaning to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meaning to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an intention or purpose behind an action. Example: "I was meaning to do my homework earlier, but I got distracted by my phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And, as I explained in my 2012 piece, there are plenty of additional means to enable officers, the vast majority of whom are well meaning, to do their jobs without causing unnecessary harm.

Huffington Post

"You've been meaning to do it for over a decade.

The Guardian - Books

You've been meaning to do it for months.

The New Yorker

It's something I've been meaning to do for decades.

The Guardian - Music

She might be meaning to do him harm — she might be meaning to kill him.

The New Yorker

"Without meaning to do it, people have voted back  the nasty party," said one Labour source.

Independent

Tomorrow, I will get up and do all the things that I've been meaning to do.

The New Yorker

Still, officials said, Mr. Zubaydah has provided valuable information, often without meaning to do so.

The New York Times

"I'd been meaning to do an estate plan for years," said Mindy Dacus, 52, of Rio Rancho, N.M.

The New York Times

Something I've been meaning to do — and still don't have the time to do properly — is say something about Peter Beinart's brave book The Crisis of Zionism.

The New York Times

Josh Lehner does something I've been meaning to do: he compares US economic performance since the financial crisis with other episodes of major financial crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meaning to do" to clearly express an intention or purpose, especially when discussing future actions or unfulfilled plans.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "meaning to do" with phrases that express obligation or necessity. If the intention is weak, consider using "wanting to do" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meaning to do" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing intention or purpose. It typically follows a verb like "be" or "have been" to indicate a planned or intended action. Ludwig's examples highlight its common use in expressing unfulfilled plans or ongoing intentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

24%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meaning to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing intention or purpose. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, as well as general online content. Its neutral register makes it adaptable to both formal and informal communication. While there are several alternative phrases available, selecting the most fitting one depends on the specific nuance of intention you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to do

Replaces "meaning" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing intent.

planning to do

Focuses on the aspect of having a plan or strategy for the action.

aiming to do

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the action.

wanting to do

Emphasizes desire as the motivation behind the action.

hoping to do

Suggests a degree of uncertainty or aspiration regarding the action.

desiring to do

A more formal way of expressing the desire to perform the action.

seeking to do

Implies a proactive effort to accomplish the action.

proposing to do

Indicates a formal suggestion or intention to undertake the action.

wishing to do

Similar to 'wanting,' but carries a slightly more wistful or polite tone.

expecting to do

Indicates a belief or anticipation that the action will be performed.

FAQs

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

You can use "meaning to do" to express an intention. For example, "I've been "meaning to do" that for ages" or "She was "meaning to do" it later".

What are some alternatives to "meaning to do"?

Alternatives include "intending to do", "planning to do", or "aiming to do", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "I am "meaning to do"" is grammatically correct, but it's more common to say "I have been "meaning to do"" to express an intention that has been ongoing for some time.

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

While both phrases express intention, ""intending to do"" might suggest a more deliberate or formal plan, whereas ""meaning to do"" can imply a less concrete or more casual intention.