which I meant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which I meant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to clarify or specify what you intended to convey in a previous statement. Example: "I appreciate your feedback, but I want to clarify my point, which I meant to express more clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

By which I meant American.

The New York Times

"Thanks for listening," I'd say apologetically — by which I meant, I'm sure you have better things to do than preside over the excretion of my liquid waste.

The New York Times

It contains an image of space which I meant to be silent and eerie but it could, as you say, be sinister and aggressive.

The Economist

"Then we met again the following year, at the same event, and I said, 'I had forgotten you were so tall.' By which I meant handsome".

The New Yorker

If it's right in every way?" By which I meant physically, financially, spiritually, in terms of the other children, in terms of our marriage.

The New York Times

I'd reply that no native speaker by which I meant no normal person would ever make that distinction, feeling as though I were living with Andy Kaufman's Foreign Man.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"By which I mean, we love actors.

The New Yorker

By which I mean interesting things".

Independent

By which I mean both!

The New York Times - Food

By which I mean: everybody.

The Guardian

"I'm not sure which I mean.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which I meant" to provide immediate clarification after a statement that might be ambiguous or misinterpreted, ensuring the audience understands your precise intention.

Common error

Avoid using "which I meant" too frequently, as it can make your writing seem repetitive or imply a lack of clarity in your initial statements. Strive for precision in your original wording to reduce the need for constant clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which I meant" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a preceding statement. It serves to clarify or elaborate on the speaker's or writer's intent. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it follows a statement that might be ambiguous.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which I meant" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for adding clarity to your writing and speech. It functions as a non-restrictive clause to elaborate on a previous statement's intended meaning. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, according to Ludwig, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. Avoid overuse to maintain a concise writing style, and always aim for clarity in your initial statements to minimize the need for clarifications. Alternatives like "that I intended" or "what I was trying to say" can add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in other words, what I meant was

Introduces a rephrasing of the previous statement for clarity.

what I actually meant to say

Highlights a correction or clarification of the initial statement.

what I intended to express

Highlights the expression of a thought or feeling.

that I intended to convey

More formal and emphasizes the act of conveying a message.

the point I aimed to make

Emphasizes the specific point the speaker was trying to communicate.

as I intended it to be understood

Focuses on how the statement should be interpreted.

the meaning I wanted to impart

Focuses on the intended meaning and its transmission.

that was my intention

Focuses on the initial intent behind the statement.

what I was trying to say

Emphasizes the effort to communicate a specific idea.

by that I signified

More formal; emphasizes the act of signifying something.

FAQs

How can I use "which I meant" in a sentence?

Use "which I meant" to clarify or specify the intended meaning behind a previous statement, as in, "I appreciate your feedback, but I want to clarify my point, "which I meant" to express more clearly."

What are some alternatives to "which I meant"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that I intended", "what I was trying to say", or "what I intended to express", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "which I meant"?

Yes, "which I meant" is grammatically correct and can be used to introduce a clause that clarifies a preceding statement.

How does "which I meant" differ from "what I meant"?

"Which I meant" is typically used as a non-restrictive clause providing additional information, while "what I meant" functions as a noun clause, often the subject or object of a verb. For example, "That's "what I meant"," versus, "I said it quickly, "which I meant" as a compliment."