take to mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take to mean" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express one's interpretation or understanding of something that has been said or written. Example: "When she said she was busy, I took it to mean that she didn't want to meet up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Traditional" gaming, a term that is rapidly losing meaning and relevance, but which we can take to mean a game that you can pay perhaps $60 for and then play without significant further investment, amounted to about $16 billion across PCs and consoles worldwide.

TechCrunch

The Old French enfranchir, its meaning originally "to make free," which we now take to mean "to enable to vote," is one word, despite Samuel Johnson's dubious derivation two centuries ago.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm on the same side,' which I take to mean, against Bush.

The Guardian

There isn't much foam, which I take to mean that the bottle sat on the shelf for a long time.

The New Yorker

"One war at a time" goes the coalitionaries' mantra, which our spymasters take to mean "Don't follow leads to Iraq".

The New York Times

Which I take to mean: we can't speak our hearts with the large conceptual brushes of Politics or Advocacy.

The New Yorker

For racetrack or off-road use only, Mopar says, which you can take to mean not street legal.

The New York Times

In June Mr Quinn spoke of "powerful interests that don't want reform", which many will take to mean the unions.

The Economist

There were too many things attached to him," which I take to mean that this house is beyond the reach of anyone who might like to seize it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That was taken to mean no.

The New York Times

That is always taken to mean the lowest rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take to mean", ensure that your interpretation is reasonable and supported by the context. Avoid drawing unfounded or speculative conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "take to mean" when the original statement is intentionally vague or ambiguous, as this can lead to miscommunication. Instead, seek clarification or acknowledge the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take to mean" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey one's interpretation or understanding of something. It introduces a subjective assessment based on available information, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take to mean" is a versatile and frequently used idiomatic phrase employed to articulate one's understanding or interpretation of a given context. Grammatically sound and commonly found in news, media and scientific publications, it reflects a neutral register. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely recognized and readily understood. When writing, it is crucial to ensure the expressed interpretation is both logical and substantiated. While alternatives such as "interpret as" or "understand as" can be used, "take to mean" effectively bridges the gap between stated information and inferred understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interpret as

Focuses on the act of interpreting, often used when analyzing something.

understand as

Emphasizes comprehension and grasping the meaning of something.

construe as

Suggests a more formal or legalistic interpretation.

deduce to be

Highlights the process of reasoning and drawing a conclusion.

infer to be

Implies drawing a conclusion based on indirect evidence.

gather to be

Suggests collecting information and forming an understanding.

assume to be

Implies making a judgment with limited evidence.

presume to be

Suggests taking something as true until proven otherwise.

surmise to be

Indicates forming an opinion based on incomplete information.

conclude to be

Highlights a final judgment or determination.

FAQs

How can I use "take to mean" in a sentence?

You can use "take to mean" to express your interpretation of something. For example, "When she said she was busy, I "take to mean" that she didn't want to meet up."

What are some alternatives to "take to mean"?

You can use alternatives like "interpret as", "understand as", or "construe as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "took to mean" instead of "take to mean"?

Yes, "took to mean" is the past tense form of the phrase. For example, "I "took to mean" that he was angry when he slammed the door."

What's the difference between "take to mean" and "assume"?

"Take to mean" implies an interpretation based on some evidence or context, while "assume" suggests making a judgment with less concrete support. For example, "I "take to mean" that he's not coming because he hasn't replied", versus "I "assume" he's not coming because he's always late".