meant to express

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meant to express" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the intention behind a statement or piece of writing. Example: "The poem is meant to express the author's feelings of loss and longing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he said that for him, the three words were not politicised and only meant to express his defiance of terror and support for democracy and freedom of expression.

Independent

Reggae was meant to express peace, love and human solidarity.

The Economist

I think that is what our building meant to express.

The New York Times - Magazine

I meant to express my loathing of the term handicapped.

The Guardian

Mr. Menchiari said that the video game was not meant to express an ideological message.

The New York Times

How is a dog or cat meant to express its individuality?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He meant to express everything he could in Tintin: his curiosity, his passions and his dreams.

The Guardian - Books

"Icons are meant to express divine figures and scenes through symbolic, pictorial language.

The New York Times

Yasi made a sound that was not like his usual laugh but was meant to express amusement.

The New Yorker

The stylized Mamet language is not meant to express a character's thoughts or emotions, but to deflect attention from them.

The New York Times

This protection of the right to be let alone except under responsible judicial complusion of precisely wha the Fourth Amendment meant to express and to safeguard.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meant to express" when you want to clearly state the purpose or intention behind a particular action, statement, or creative work. It adds clarity and directness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "meant to express" as a crutch for imprecise verbs. Instead of saying "The painting was meant to express sadness", try "The painting evoked sadness" for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meant to express" functions as an infinitive phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the purpose or intention behind something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

14%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meant to express" is a versatile phrase used to articulate the purpose or intention behind various actions or statements. It is grammatically correct, widely used, and functions primarily to clarify intent, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its register is generally neutral, it appears most frequently in News & Media. Remember to use it judiciously, and consider stronger verbs for more impactful writing. Alternatives such as "intended to convey" or "designed to communicate" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to convey

Replaces "meant to" with "intended to", focusing on the speaker's goal.

designed to communicate

Emphasizes the design or planning behind the expression.

aimed to articulate

Highlights the act of clear and effective expression.

sought to represent

Focuses on representing something through expression.

purposed to illustrate

Implies a goal of making something clear or vivid through expression.

served to demonstrate

Highlights the function of expression in showing or proving something.

functioned to signify

Focuses on the role of expression in indicating or symbolizing.

was conceived to embody

Emphasizes the concept of giving a tangible form to an idea or feeling.

had the goal of verbalizing

Highlights the intention of putting something into words.

set out to verbalize

Highlights the active intention of putting something into words.

FAQs

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

You can use "meant to express" to describe the intention behind an action, statement, or piece of art. For example, "The artist's sculpture was "meant to express" feelings of isolation".

What are some alternatives to "meant to express"?

Alternatives include "intended to convey", "designed to communicate", or "aimed to articulate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "meant to express"?

While not inherently redundant, consider if a stronger verb could replace the entire phrase for greater impact. Instead of "His words were "meant to express" anger", you could say "His words seethed with anger".

What's the difference between "meant to express" and "intended to express"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Meant to" implies a general purpose or design, while "intended to" suggests a more deliberate and conscious plan. Both phrases work well, but context might make one more fitting.