means that

USAGE SUMMARY

"means that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to link a verb or phrase to a conclusion or explanation. For example, "Her lack of response means that she has not yet seen the message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

and means "that is.

WikiHow

He means that literally.

The New York Times - Arts

That means that St.

The Economist

It means that you compromise.

The New York Times

Which means that sometimes you stink.

The New York Times

Which means that astronauts will get bored.

The New York Times - Magazine

That means that he likes surprises.

The New Yorker

He means that as a compliment.

The New York Times - Books

This means that few ever run out.

The Economist

This means that money will pass.

The Economist

This means that there is greater evaporation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "means that" to clearly explain the direct consequence or implication of a statement or action. This helps ensure your writing is easily understood and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "means that" within a single paragraph. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "implies", "indicates", or "suggests" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "means that" functions as a connector, linking a cause, condition, or statement to its resulting effect, implication, or explanation. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, confirming its role in establishing relationships between ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "means that" is a versatile and commonly used connector to indicate consequence, implication, or equivalence. As verified by Ludwig, it functions as a grammatical bridge to link ideas and enhance clarity. While it's broadly applicable, varying your sentence structure and using synonyms like "implies" or "indicates" can improve writing quality. The high frequency and diverse contextual usage confirm its central role in English communication. Remember to use "means that" to ensure your message is clearly understood, specifying the result of what was mentioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implies that

This suggests a logical consequence or necessary condition.

indicates that

This points to something as a sign or symptom.

suggests that

This introduces a possibility or a hint.

entails that

This signifies a necessary consequence or logical implication.

demonstrates that

This shows or proves something clearly.

signifies that

This conveys a particular meaning or message.

proves that

This establishes the truth of something definitively.

results in

Focuses on the outcome or effect of a preceding action or event.

leads to

Highlights the progression or path from one thing to another.

is equivalent to

Expresses a state of being equal or interchangeable in value or meaning.

FAQs

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

"Means that" is used to explain the result or consequence of something. For example, "The rain means that the game is canceled".

What are some alternatives to "means that"?

You can use alternatives like "implies that", "indicates that", or "suggests that" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "means that" and "implies that"?

"Means that" generally indicates a direct and clear consequence, while "implies that" suggests a more subtle or inferred meaning. The directness and strength of the connection between the two clauses will influence your choice.

Can I replace "means that" with "is equivalent to"?

While sometimes interchangeable, "is equivalent to" is best used when expressing that two things have the same value or function, whereas "means that" is more versatile for indicating consequences or explanations.