that means that

USAGE SUMMARY

"that means that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when you are trying to make an assertion or conclusion from a previous statement. For example, "The forecast is for more rain tomorrow; that means that our plans for a picnic will need to change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That means that tonight you're still in rehab.

The New Yorker

That means that artist did their job.

Huffington Post

That means that St.

The Economist

That means that he likes surprises.

The New Yorker

That means that ships are doubly damaged.

The New York Times

That means that things will change".

Independent

"That means that I hate me".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That means that that is my job.

The New York Times

That means that perfect knowledge is unattainable.

The Guardian - Business

That means that some fees have been raised, others reduced.

Independent

That means that roughly 310 million residents were not watching.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that means that" to clearly state the consequence or implication of a preceding statement, ensuring a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "that means that" in close succession. Vary your sentence structure with synonyms such as "therefore", "consequently", or "this implies that" to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that means that" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement to its direct consequence or implication. It asserts a clear relationship between two ideas, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that means that" is a frequently used phrase that functions as a causal connector, primarily used to indicate a direct consequence or implication. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While it's essential for clarifying cause-and-effect relationships, overuse can lead to redundancy. Therefore, varying sentence structure with synonyms is recommended. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse communication settings. To enhance writing quality, be mindful of overuse and choose synonyms like "therefore" or "consequently" to maintain clarity and avoid monotony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that implies

A shorter and more direct way of indicating a consequence or implication.

which implies that

Replaces "that means that" with a more formal connector emphasizing implication.

this suggests that

Indicates that the preceding statement provides evidence for the following conclusion.

therefore

A concise way to indicate a logical consequence or conclusion.

consequently

Highlights the result or effect of a preceding action or condition.

as a result

Directly links a cause to its effect or outcome.

this indicates that

Similar to 'this suggests that', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on evidence.

it follows that

Emphasizes a logical deduction or necessary consequence.

in other words

Used to rephrase or clarify the preceding statement, implying a similar meaning.

so

A simple and informal way to introduce a conclusion or consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "that means that" in a sentence?

Use "that means that" to clearly show the direct consequence or result of something. For instance, "The project was successful; "that means that" we met all our goals".

What are some alternatives to "that means that"?

Alternatives include "therefore", "consequently", or "this implies that". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "that means that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although some may consider it slightly redundant. It's acceptable in both spoken and written English, as Ludwig AI confirms.

What's the difference between "that means that" and "that implies"?

"That means that" is a more direct statement of consequence, while "that implies" suggests a less direct or more nuanced implication. They are often interchangeable, but "that implies" can indicate a more subtle connection.