which meant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which meant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the result or consequence of a certain action or statement. For example: He was caught stealing candy, which meant he was grounded for a week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which meant being forceful, yet also canny.

Independent

"Which meant that people found it confusing.

Independent

Which meant ball one to Maz.

The New Yorker

Which meant no walking.

The Guardian - Money

Which meant no work.

The Guardian - Money

Which meant something was up.

The Guardian - Sport

Which meant four different outfits.

The New York Times

It's been information overload, which meant nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

Which meant that it wasn't even close.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which meant you could hardly see them.

The Guardian - Sport

Which meant any baby, within reason.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which meant" to clearly connect an action or situation with its direct consequence. Ensure the connection is logical and easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which meant" if the connection to the preceding clause is vague or unclear. Ensure there is a specific event or situation that "which meant" refers back to, creating a logical link for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which meant" functions as a causal connector, linking a previous statement or situation to its direct consequence or implication. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to introduce a clause that explains the result of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which meant" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to clearly connect an event or statement to its direct consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its function as a causal connector, primarily used in news and media contexts. To use it effectively, ensure a clear and logical connection between the clauses. While alternatives like "as a result" or "therefore" exist, "which meant" provides a straightforward and easily understood way to express causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a result

States the outcome or consequence of a preceding action or situation.

this resulted in

Directly connects an action to its outcome.

consequently

Highlights the direct result or effect of something.

therefore

Indicates a logical conclusion or deduction.

leading to

Focuses on the progression from one event to another.

that implied

Focuses on the suggestion or hint that something resulted from a previous action.

that indicated

Stresses the signal or sign that something was the case.

that entailed

Highlights what was necessarily involved or included as a result.

that signified

Emphasizes the meaning or symbolic representation of a prior event.

that necessitated

Emphasizes that something became essential or unavoidable.

FAQs

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

Use "which meant" to show the direct consequence of a previous action or statement. For example, "The store was closed, "which meant" we couldn't buy the ingredients."

What are some alternatives to "which meant"?

Alternatives include "as a result", "therefore", or "consequently", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which meant"?

While grammatically correct, "which meant" can be misused if the connection between the clauses is unclear or illogical. Ensure there's a direct and understandable relationship between what precedes and what follows.

What's the difference between "which meant" and "that meant"?

"Which meant" introduces a non-restrictive clause, providing additional information, while "that meant" would introduce a restrictive clause that is essential to the sentence's meaning. In practice, "which meant" is more common for expressing consequence.