means to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'means to' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to signify the purpose, method, or intention behind a certain action. For example, "The company is taking steps to improve safety, which means to give employees peace of mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Udaan" means "to take flight".

The New York Times

Quell means to silence, pacify.

The New York Times

The name actually means "to celebrate".

The New York Times - Sports

This book means to dispel those notions.

The New York Times

(Kin means "to eat" in Thai).

The New York Times - Food

Charge means to paddle ahead furiously.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Donovan means to change that.

The Economist

That's what contraception means to women.

The New York Times

Is this what Brooks means to say?

The New Yorker

That means to protect clean athletes".

Independent

What It Means To Be Black Now".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "means to" to clearly express intention or purpose behind an action. Ensure the sentence structure supports the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "means to" with gerunds or incorrect verb conjugations. It should always be followed by the base form of the verb, such as "means to achieve" not "means to achieving".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "means to" functions primarily as a connector, linking an action or strategy with its intended outcome or purpose. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in expressing intention and design.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "means to" is a versatile connector used to express purpose or intention, as affirmed by Ludwig. It maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into diverse contexts ranging from news articles to how-to guides. Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples highlights its prevalence in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources. To enhance your writing, ensure the phrase is paired with the base form of a verb and used when expressing explicit intention, replacing alternatives such as "intends to" or "aims to" for varied expression. Avoiding its misuse ensures clarity and precision in communicating purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to

Focuses more on the intention or plan behind an action.

aims to

Highlights the goal or objective of an action.

plans to

Refers to a specific arrangement or scheme that has been made.

seeks to

Emphasizes the effort and pursuit involved in achieving a specific outcome.

is designed to

Emphasizes the intentional design or purpose behind something.

aspires to

Implies a strong desire or ambition to achieve something significant.

attempts to

Indicates an effort or try, which may or may not be successful.

strives to

Focuses on continuous effort and dedication toward a particular goal.

endeavors to

Highlights a serious and determined effort to accomplish a task.

purports to

Suggests a claim or assertion that may be questionable or unproven.

FAQs

How to use "means to" in a sentence?

Use "means to" to express the purpose or intention behind an action. For example, "The new policy "means to improve" employee satisfaction".

What can I say instead of "means to"?

You can use alternatives like "intends to", "aims to", or "seeks to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "means to achieve" or "means achieving"?

"Means to achieve" is correct. The phrase "means to" should be followed by the base form of the verb. "Means achieving" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "means to" and "is meant to"?

"Means to" indicates a purpose or intention, while "is meant to" describes a design or intended function. For example, "This tool "means to simplify" the process" (intention), versus "This tool "is meant to simplify" the process" (design).