meant of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant of course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify or emphasize that something is intended or understood in a particular way, often in a conversational or informal context. Example: "The project deadline is next Friday, meant of course to give us enough time for revisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Putin meant, of course, the English.

The New York Times - Sports

It meant, of course, the United States.

The New York Times

They meant, of course, Ms. Battle's furs.

The New York Times - Arts

He meant, of course, off the streets.

The New York Times

I knew what she meant, of course.

The New Yorker

He meant, of course, that he was the rightful alternative.

The New York Times

She meant, of course, that complicated, broken characters intrigue her.

The New York Times

That was not what he meant, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

He meant, of course, if he wins the Presidency next year.

The New Yorker

I meant, of course, that I am always writing in my head.

The New York Times

She meant, of course, that he had quit, but I much preferred her mistaken version.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meant of course" to gently clarify a statement, especially when you suspect your audience might misinterpret your initial phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "meant of course" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and condescending. Instead, vary your phrasing with alternatives such as "obviously" or "naturally" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant of course" functions as a discourse marker used for clarification or emphasis. It signals that the speaker is elaborating on an intended meaning, assuming it's somewhat obvious but still requiring explicit statement. Ludwig's examples highlight its use across varied contexts to ensure understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meant of course" is a versatile phrase used for clarification and emphasis, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it functions as a discourse marker to ensure clear communication. While highly frequent, overuse can lead to redundancy; thus, alternatives like "obviously" or "naturally" should be considered. Remember to use it judiciously to enhance clarity without sounding condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

naturally

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb implying obviousness.

obviously

Similar to 'naturally', indicating something is clear and easily understood.

as you might expect

Emphasizes that something is predictable based on the situation.

it goes without saying

Highlights something so evident it doesn't require explicit statement.

needless to say

Signals that the speaker is stating the obvious.

it should be noted

Draws attention to a detail the speaker considers important.

to be clear

Introduces a clarification to avoid misunderstanding.

in other words

Restates a concept using different terms for better comprehension.

what I'm saying is

Signifies the speaker is about to summarize or rephrase their point.

what is implied is

Focuses on the underlying meaning, rather than the literal words.

FAQs

How can I use "meant of course" in a sentence?

Use "meant of course" to clarify or emphasize a point that might be easily understood or misinterpreted. For example, "The deadline is Friday, "meant of course", to allow time for revisions".

What's a more concise way to say "meant of course"?

Alternatives include "obviously", "naturally", or "it goes without saying", depending on the context. These options can help streamline your writing.

Is "meant of course" too informal for professional writing?

While acceptable, "meant of course" leans towards a neutral or slightly informal tone. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "it should be noted" or "to be clear".

What's the difference between "meant of course" and "as you know"?

"Meant of course" clarifies an intention or implication, while "as you know" assumes the listener already possesses the information. They serve different functions in communication, one clarifying and the other acknowledging shared knowledge.