meant to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'meant to ask' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when something has been forgotten or overlooked, and is being asked about now. For example, "I meant to ask, did you bring the picnic supplies?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Obviously we're meant to ask.

The New York Times - Arts

He hadn't meant to ask her out.

The New Yorker

"I've always meant to ask him".

The New York Times - Sports

Bethany knows what she's meant to ask next.

The Guardian - Books

He said, I meant to ask her to be French.

The Guardian - Books

Q I meant to ask a follow-up, though.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

What does your dog mean to you, asks Engle of her subjects.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Yes, I mean to ask you about that: the umpire.

The New York Times

"Sir, I mean to ask you: What do you hope to accomplish in this film?

The New Yorker

We mean to ask: What strikes you as unusual, or different from the norm?

The New York Times

Did they mean to ask, is there any reason whatever why this information shall be held bad?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meant to ask" when you realize you forgot to ask something earlier in a conversation or at a previous time. It's useful for smoothly reintroducing a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "meant to ask" interchangeably with phrases like "had to ask" or "needed to ask". "Meant to ask" specifically implies a forgotten intention, whereas the others suggest a requirement or necessity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant to ask" functions as an introductory phrase to indicate that the speaker or writer intended to ask a question earlier but had forgotten or not had the opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meant to ask" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a question that one had intended to ask earlier. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. As evidenced by the various examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase appears most commonly in news and media, books, and business contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When writing, remember that "meant to ask" is most fitting when you're recalling a question you previously intended to pose. Alternatives such as "intended to inquire" offer more formal options, depending on your desired register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to inquire about

Slightly more formal than the original phrase.

was meaning to ask

Uses the continuous tense to convey an ongoing intention.

wanted to ask

Focuses on the desire to ask, regardless of whether it happened.

was going to ask

Highlights the interrupted or postponed nature of the question.

had in mind to ask

Indicates a question that was in one's thoughts.

intended to inquire

More formal and emphasizes the planned nature of the question.

intended on asking

Expresses a deliberate plan to pose a question.

had planned to ask

Similar to 'intended to inquire' but focuses on prior planning.

should have asked

Implies regret or a missed opportunity to ask the question.

had every intention of asking

Emphasizes a strong prior intention that may not have been fulfilled.

FAQs

How can I use "meant to ask" in a sentence?

You can use "meant to ask" to introduce a question you intended to ask earlier but forgot, such as: "I "meant to ask", did you remember to lock the door?"

What's a more formal alternative to "meant to ask"?

A more formal alternative is "intended to inquire". For example, instead of "I "meant to ask" about the budget," you could say "I intended to inquire about the budget."

Is it correct to say "mean to ask" instead of "meant to ask"?

While "mean to ask" might be grammatically understandable, it's not idiomatic in modern English. "Meant to ask" implies a prior intention that was forgotten, making it the more appropriate choice in most contexts.

What's the difference between "forgot to ask" and "meant to ask"?

"Forgot to ask" simply states that you didn't ask something. "Meant to ask" implies you had a prior intention to ask and are now remembering to do so. The latter emphasizes the intention more strongly.