meant for someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant for someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is intended or designated for a specific person. Example: "This gift was meant for someone special in my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It had been meant for someone.

The Guardian - Books

The bullet was apparently meant for someone else.

The New York Times

Customers pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can't afford one.

Independent

But the police said the bullets were meant for someone else.

The New York Times

He said they thought the envelopes addressed to "resident" were meant for someone else.

The New York Times

There he wins a cake that was meant for someone else.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I ask what this would mean for someone like Matthew.

The Guardian - Books

(UNKNOWN): What does it mean for someone who may be watching the hearing?

The Washington Post

Maggie showed me what it means for someone to believe in me.

The Guardian

Think about what that means for someone like National Security Adviser John Bolton.

The Washington Post

So what does the emerging science about statins and muscles mean for someone who is taking or considering the drugs?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to convey intention or purpose, but consider alternatives like "intended for" or "designed for" for varied expression.

Common error

Avoid using "meant for someone" without clarifying who the "someone" is. This can lead to confusion and weaken the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant for someone" functions as a qualifier, indicating the intended recipient or purpose of an object, action, or message. It specifies that something is not general but directed towards a particular individual. As seen in Ludwig, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meant for someone" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to denote intention or designation towards a specific person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. While versatile, it's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as academic settings. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying who the "someone" is, to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "intended for a person" or "designated for an individual" for a slightly different tone. Overall, "meant for someone" is a reliable and effective phrase when used thoughtfully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended for a person

Replaces "meant" with "intended" and simplifies "someone" to "a person" for a slightly more formal tone.

designated for an individual

Uses "designated" to emphasize the purpose and replaces "someone" with the more formal "an individual".

designed for a specific recipient

Emphasizes the design aspect and replaces "someone" with "a specific recipient" for clarity.

tailored for a person

Suggests customization and replaces "someone" with "a person", implying a fit or suitability.

destined for a particular person

Implies a predetermined nature, replacing "meant" with "destined".

created for an individual

Focuses on the act of creation, replacing "meant" with "created" to highlight the origin.

reserved for a specific person

Highlights the act of setting something aside, substituting "meant" with "reserved".

suitable for a particular person

Emphasizes appropriateness, replacing "meant" with "suitable".

matching a person

Focuses on finding the item or thing that belongs to or is supposed to match a person

appropriate for somebody

Highlights the suitability of something for a particular person.

FAQs

How can I use "meant for someone" in a sentence?

You can use "meant for someone" to indicate that something is intended or designated for a particular person. For example, "This letter was "meant for someone" else."

What's a more formal way to say "meant for someone"?

More formal alternatives include "intended for an individual" or "designated for a specific recipient", which provide a heightened sense of purpose or official allocation.

Is it correct to say "meaned for someone"?

No, "meaned" is not the correct past participle of "mean". The correct phrase is ""meant for someone"". "Meant" is the past tense and past participle of "mean".

What is the difference between "intended for someone" and "meant for someone"?

While very similar, "intended for someone" emphasizes a deliberate plan or aim, while ""meant for someone"" can also imply destiny or a preordained purpose. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.