this meant that

USAGE SUMMARY

"this meant that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that the preceding statement has a consequence or result. For example: "The store was closed, this meant that I had to go to a different location for my groceries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This meant that inventories shrank.

The Economist

And this meant that they were productive.

The Economist

This meant that the autumn's E.U.

The New Yorker

This meant that Hook took charge again.

The Guardian - Sport

This meant that those European Jews had to go.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This meant that the interrupt had to be fairly fast.

Cornell University

This meant that we came to class already tired.

The New Yorker

This meant that she did not crave to be loved.

The Guardian

This meant that participants' positions were not disclosed to regulators.

The New York Times

This meant that she always worked late on Saturdays.

The New Yorker

This meant that other countries could perform in English.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this meant that" to clearly connect a cause and its direct effect, ensuring the relationship is easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this meant that" in very short, simple sentences where the connection is already obvious. Reword to create a more concise and sophisticated sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this meant that" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding statement to its consequence. It explicitly indicates that the first part of the sentence led directly to the situation described in the second part. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and appropriate for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this meant that" is a versatile causal connector used to clearly link a cause and its effect. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While it is a valuable tool for making connections clear, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in overly simple sentences. Consider using alternatives like "this implied that" or "consequently" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this implied that

Uses "implied" instead of "meant", suggesting a more subtle or indirect consequence.

this indicated that

Replaces "meant" with "indicated", implying a more evident or demonstrable consequence.

this signified that

Substitutes "meant" with "signified", suggesting that the preceding statement was a sign or symbol of something else.

this resulted in

Focuses on the outcome or result of the initial statement, rather than the implied meaning.

consequently

A single-word adverb indicating a direct consequence, suitable for shorter sentences.

therefore

Another single-word adverb showing a logical conclusion or deduction.

as a result

A phrase that directly highlights the resulting outcome or effect.

because of this

Emphasizes the causal relationship between the preceding statement and the subsequent consequence.

this led to

Highlights the action of leading to a specific result.

the consequence was

Directly states that a certain outcome was the result of a prior action.

FAQs

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

Use "this meant that" to show a direct consequence or result from a previous action or situation. For example, "The funding was cut; this meant that the project had to be put on hold."

What's a more formal alternative to "this meant that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "this implied that" or "consequently".

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "this meant"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" can sometimes be omitted for brevity without sacrificing clarity, especially in informal writing. However, including "that" often improves readability in more complex sentences.

What is the difference between "this meant that" and "this implied that"?

"This meant that" indicates a direct and clear consequence, while "this implied that" suggests a more subtle or indirect consequence that requires interpretation.