means something that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "means something that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this in a sentence when you are referring to something that has a specific meaning or definition. For example: "The phrase 'I'm hitting the road' means something that is not literal; it instead suggests the speaker is leaving the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"It means something that doesn't work, doesn't function.

The New York Times

Rather, he means something that is a bit futuristic, maybe jarring, and quite possibly alienating.

The New York Times

Millennial means something that happens once every thousand years, like Hereford winning the Champions League".

The Guardian - Tech

It means something that enters your spirit and makes you behave strangely.

The Guardian

Rather, I think, he means something that is a bit futuristic, maybe a little harsh, and quite possibly alienating.

The New York Times

If fragility means something that breaks under stress, its exact opposite should mean something that grows stronger under pressure.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Innovation seems to mean something that happens in another field than one's own.

The New York Times

The "way" (ṭarīqah) meant something that was not accessible to the pious, orthodox Muslim alone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You mean something that has got quality in it, that has been selected and copy-edited.

The Guardian

I wanted to do work that meant something that could be a catalyst.

The Guardian

When I say "miracle," I don't mean something that's impossible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, use "means something that" to explicitly define or explain a term or concept, ensuring your audience understands the intended significance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "means something that" can sound somewhat formal. In casual writing, consider alternatives like "means" or "is" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "means something that" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject (often a word or concept) with its definition or implication. It serves to clarify or explain the significance of the subject. Ludwig AI shows many examples from varied sources of the function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "means something that" is a common and grammatically correct construct used to define or clarify the significance of a term or concept. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and even wiki entries. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; in more informal settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The linguistic analysis reveals that the phrase functions as a linking phrase, emphasizing clarity and direct definition. Therefore, while the phrase is correct, as Ludwig AI indicates, the user should consider that alternative similar phrases exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signifies something that

Replaces "means" with "signifies", emphasizing the symbolic representation.

implies something which

Substitutes "means" with "implies", suggesting an indirect indication.

represents something that

Uses "represents" instead of "means", highlighting the role of standing for something else.

denotes something which

Replaces "means" with "denotes", focusing on the explicit definition.

indicates something that

Changes "means" to "indicates", suggesting that it points toward something.

suggests something that

Uses "suggests" instead of "means", softening the definitive nature.

entails something that

Substitutes "means" with "entails", implying a necessary consequence.

connotes something that

Replaces "means" with "connotes", highlighting the implied or associated meanings.

is equivalent to something that

Changes the structure to emphasize the equivalence of meanings.

is understood as something that

Shifts focus to how something is interpreted, rather than its inherent meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "means something that" in a sentence?

Use "means something that" to clarify the definition or implication of a term or concept. For example, "The word 'ubiquitous' "means something that" is present everywhere".

What are some alternatives to "means something that"?

Alternatives include "signifies that", "implies that", or "represents that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "means to say something that"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "means to say something that" is often redundant. You can streamline your sentence by using "means something that" or, more simply, "means".

What is the difference between "means something that" and "suggests something that"?

"Means something that" implies a direct definition or equivalence, while "suggests something that" implies an indirect association or connotation.