that was meant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was meant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate intention or purpose behind an action or statement in the past. Example: "The message you received was a misunderstanding; that was meant to be a private conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We believed it was something that was meant to be".

The Guardian - Sport

It purchased land that was meant to be parcelled out to black farmers.

Independent

"People were not ready to offer the kind of solidarity that was meant by the Americans".

The New York Times

On the other hand, one improvement that was meant to be permanent will be gone soon.

The New York Times

"You know, it was one of those things that was meant to be," Giambi said.

The New York Times - Sports

There he wins a cake that was meant for someone else.

The New Yorker

"Then they laughed at anything that was meant to be a smile.

The New Yorker

"Oslo meant the abandonment of land that was meant for the Jews," Saperstein said.

The New Yorker

It is an utterly polemical book that was meant to smash Lenin.

Independent

Worry that your turkey might have been the one that was meant to be pardoned.

The New Yorker

Where is the charm offensive that was meant to underpin it?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was meant", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended purpose or plan. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient information about the subject and its intended outcome.

Common error

Avoid assuming the intent behind an action or statement. Always verify the actual purpose to prevent miscommunication or incorrect interpretations when using "that was meant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was meant" typically functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by specifying its intended purpose, design, or destiny. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showing its role in providing context or clarifying intent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was meant" functions as a relative clause to specify the intended purpose or design of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the intent is clearly conveyed and avoid assuming the purpose without verification. Related phrases like ""that was intended"" or ""that was supposed to"" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific context you are looking to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was intended

Emphasizes the original aim or plan.

that was to be

Indicates a future event or state that was anticipated or scheduled.

that was supposed to

Highlights expectation or obligation.

that was designed to

Focuses on the purpose behind the design or creation.

that was destined to

Suggests a predetermined outcome or fate.

it was fated to be

Suggests an inevitable or predetermined outcome.

that was planned to

Highlights a deliberate arrangement or scheme.

that was conceived to

Emphasizes the initial idea or concept.

that was created to

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence for a specific reason.

that was purposed to

Highlights a formal declaration of intent.

FAQs

How can I use "that was meant" in a sentence?

You can use "that was meant" to indicate the intended purpose or original design of something. For example, "The gift "that was meant" for you was accidentally delivered to the wrong address".

What are some alternatives to "that was meant"?

Alternatives include "that was intended", "that was supposed to", or "that was designed to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that was mean to" instead of "that was meant to"?

No, "that was mean to" is grammatically incorrect when you intend to express the purpose or intention behind something. The correct phrasing is "that was meant to".

What's the difference between "that was meant to be" and "that was supposed to be"?

"That was meant to be" often implies a sense of destiny or predetermination, while "that was supposed to be" suggests an expectation or plan that may not have been fulfilled.