not meant for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not meant for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something or someone was not intended or designed for a certain purpose or use. It can also imply that something is not appropriate or suitable for a specific situation. Example: The piece of furniture was not meant for outdoor use, so it quickly deteriorated in the rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They're not meant for my body.

The New York Times

"NATO's not meant for terrorism.

The New Yorker

"It's not meant for theater," she said.

The New York Times

I'm just not meant for good things.

The New York Times

It's not meant for the lay public.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's not meant for active recreation".

The New York Times

Her response: "You're not meant for college.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course, it's not meant for me.

The Guardian

"It's not meant for the faint-hearted," Mr. Sonnenfeldt said.

The New York Times

The E2O, however, is not meant for the American driver.

The New York Times

"These buildings were not meant for human habitation," he explained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not meant for", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is not intended for to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'This tool is not meant for that', specify 'This tool is not meant for heavy-duty tasks'.

Common error

Avoid using "not meant for" without specifying the intended audience or purpose. Saying 'This is not meant for everyone' is vague. Instead, clarify: 'This book is not meant for young children'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not meant for" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, indicating that a subject is unsuitable or unintended for a specific purpose or audience. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not meant for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is unsuitable or unintended for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""not intended for"" or ""not suitable for"" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and always specify the intended audience or purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not intended for

Focuses on the original intention or design, highlighting a mismatch with current use.

not made for

Similar to "not designed for" with a nuance of existential purpose, suggesting something fundamentally incompatible.

not designed for

Emphasizes the lack of a specific design feature making it unsuitable.

not suitable for

Highlights the inappropriateness of something for a given situation or purpose.

not appropriate for

Similar to 'not suitable for', but may imply a breach of etiquette or social norms.

not geared towards

Highlights that the specific target or orientation doesn't align with the given aim.

not equipped for

Stresses a lack of necessary tools or capabilities.

ill-suited for

Highlights the poor match or compatibility between something and its intended use.

not cut out for

Suggests a lack of inherent qualities or aptitude in a person for a specific role or task.

not the right fit for

Implies a mismatch in terms of compatibility or suitability, often in a more personal or subjective context.

FAQs

How to use "not meant for" in a sentence?

You can use "not meant for" to indicate that something is unsuitable or unintended for a particular purpose, audience, or situation. For example, "This software is "not meant for beginners"".

What can I say instead of "not meant for"?

You can use alternatives like "not intended for", "not suitable for", or "not designed for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "not mean for" instead of "not meant for"?

No, "not mean for" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "not meant for", where "meant" is the past participle of "mean".

What's the difference between "not meant for" and "not suitable for"?

"Not meant for" emphasizes the original intention or design, whereas ""not suitable for"" highlights the inappropriateness in a given context. They are often interchangeable, but the subtle difference lies in the emphasis.