that would mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would mean" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a consequence of an action or statement that has been previously mentioned. For example: "If the proposal is accepted, that would mean the project will be completed in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In theory, that would mean lower fares.

The New York Times

For most teams, that would mean pass.

The New York Times - Sports

For the unemployed, that would mean more jobs.

The New York Times

In any other city that would mean something".

The Guardian - Film

That would mean an I.M.F.

The New York Times

That would mean something.

The Guardian - Arts

That would mean Woodbridge.

The New York Times

"That would mean we could do things".

The New York Times

Because that would mean jail for him".

The New York Times

Normally, that would mean it was lost.

The Economist

That would mean supporting their coalition partners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that would mean" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing. It helps readers understand the implications of a particular action or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "that would mean" in very short and obvious sentences. In such cases, consider using a more direct construction for brevity and clarity. For example, instead of saying "If it rains, that would mean the game is canceled", you could simply say "If it rains, the game will be canceled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would mean" serves as a connector to introduce a consequence or implication resulting from a preceding statement or condition. It signals a cause-and-effect relationship, clarifying the outcome of a particular action or situation. The examples on Ludwig highlight its versatile use in expressing results across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that would mean" is a versatile and grammatically sound connector used to express consequences or implications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its frequent use in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, its formality can be adjusted based on the surrounding language. To enhance writing, consider using "that would mean" to clearly establish cause-and-effect relationships, while avoiding overuse in simple sentences. Alternatives like "that implies" or "that suggests" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that implies

This alternative is slightly more formal and directly suggests a logical consequence.

that suggests

This alternative softens the implication, presenting it as a possibility rather than a certainty.

that indicates

This alternative is more objective, implying that "that" serves as evidence for something.

that entails

This alternative highlights that "that" necessarily involves something else.

that necessitates

This alternative emphasizes that "that" makes something unavoidable or essential.

that results in

This alternative focuses on the outcome or consequence of something.

that leads to

This alternative shows the path or progression from one thing to another.

consequently

This alternative is a single-word adverb expressing a direct result.

as a result

This alternative is a common phrase expressing a direct consequence or outcome.

therefore

This alternative is a formal adverb indicating a logical conclusion or inference.

FAQs

How can I use "that would mean" in a sentence?

Use "that would mean" to introduce the consequence or implication of a previous statement or action. For example: "Reducing the budget /s/that+would+mean fewer resources for the project".

What can I say instead of "that would mean"?

You can use alternatives like "that implies", "that suggests", or "that indicates" depending on the context.

Is "that would mean" formal or informal?

"That would mean" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "that entails" or "consequently" might be preferable in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "that would mean" and "that means"?

"That would mean" implies a hypothetical situation or a future consequence, while "that means" typically refers to a present or certain consequence. For example, "If we invest more, /s/that+would+mean we'd see better returns" (hypothetical) versus "We invested more, and /s/that+means we are seeing better returns" (present result).