Hey there! This is TOP episode 249. MEAN: How to Use This Word?
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Hello and welcome! Thank you for pressing PLAY and showing up! Today we’re learning grammar and vocabulary at the same time. Today we’re focusing on the verb MEAN. We’ll discuss 5 grammar patterns with the word ‘mean’, we’ll look at common collocations and 7 set phrases! So much to do today! But that’s not it. After all that theory we’ll practise speaking together. I can’t wait! Let’s go!
But hey! Have you signed up for my video training on How to stop thinking in Polish while speaking English? Do it now, go to teacherola.com/lekcja.
Mean is an irregular verb and these are its forms: mean, meant, meant. It has two main meanings. Listen to these sentences:
What does this word mean?
Green means go.
So in these sentences, the word ‘mean’ stands for to signify, to represent. Now. Listen to these very different sentences:
I didn’t mean to interrupt.
I’ve been meaning to call you.
You weren’t meant to find out.
In these three sentences the word ‘mean’ can be replaced with ‘to intend’.
Now. Time for some grammar patterns. Let’s analyse how to use the word ‘mean’ in a sentence. I’ll show you five ways of using the verb in question.
The first one. MEAN + A NOUN PHRASE, for example:
You mean the world to me.
I use this pattern to say what something signifies. You signify the whole wide world to me. Or I can ask:
What does this word mean in French?
What does this word signify in that language? I don’t know the meaning of this word and I need you to explain it to me.
Second way of using the word mean is this: MEAN + THAT-CLAUSE, for instance:
The red line means that the line is busy.
I use it to talk about the significance or implications of something. One more example of such a sentence:
I’m tied up at the office and that means I’ll be late.
This is the implication, the significance of that information.
I’m tied up at the office and that means I’ll be late.
Grammar pattern number three. MEAN + -ING ENDING, like in this sentence:
I’ll finish this book even if it means staying up all night.
You can use this structure ‘it means staying’ to say that something involves doing or being something. Finishing this book involves staying up all night. One more example:
Love means caring for someone unconditionally.
Number four. MEAN + TO-INFINITIVE, just like in this sentence:
I didn’t mean to upset you.
Ok, so we use ‘mean to’ to talk about intentions. Ok, I didn’t mean to hurt you, it wasn’t my intention to upset you to hurt you, I didn’t mean to upset you. One more example:
They meant to book a room but they forgot.
Number five. TO BE MEANT FOR or TO BE MEANT TO + INFINITIVE. Ok, that sounds a little bit complex, so let’s see or rather hear an example sentence.
These bikes are meant for the guests.
And now one sentence with TO-INFINITIVE:
I was meant to be here at five, but I got stuck in traffic.
I was meant to be here at five.
We can use this structure to say what is expected, intended or allowed.
You are not meant to eat the egg shells.
Look at them, they are meant to be.
This type of holiday is meant for families.
These are the 5 ways you can use the verb ‘mean’. Let’s go through all five of them once again, ok? Listen.
What does this word mean?
I’m tied up at the office, and that means I’ll be late.
I’ll finish the book even if it means staying up all night.
I didn’t mean to upset you.
These bikes are meant for the guests.
The next point I’d like to cover is collocations. In other words, words that are often used with the verb ‘mean’.
Adverbs that frequently qualify ‘mean’ and ‘meant’ are:
Really, simply, always.
It really means, it simply means, I always meant. To put this into perspective, I’ll give you some sentences.
To most people friendship simply means understanding.
I didn’t really mean to frighten you.
I always meant to get in touch with her.
Other words that commonly occur with mean/meant are: something and nothing or absolutely nothing. For instance:
His phone call really meant something to her.
The name means absolutely nothing to me.
This brings us to the third part of our today’s episode, that is set phrases. A set phrase is something more than a collocation. Collocations are single words that accompany the word you look into. We’ve just discussed some of them. Now time for set or fixed phrases. These are longer expressions, made of 2-3-5 or more words and they are super often used together as a whole phrase. Let’s now take a look at some set phrases with the word ‘mean’. I’ve prepared 7 set phrases, let’s go!
One. I mean.
It’s not fair, I mean, you never let me drive.
I mean. You use ‘I mean’ to add a comment, to explain, to correct yourself or as a filler to simply fill a pause. One more sentence:
He’s the president, I mean the prime minister, of France.
Two. I mean it.
It means I’m serious, I’m not joking.
You are my best friend. I mean it.
Three. You mean…?
Use this set phrase to check if you have understood or interpreted correctly. Listen to this short dialogue that illustrates the meaning of this set phrase:
Why don’t you get up?
It’s Saturday.
You mean, you don’t have to go to work?
See? I’m checking my understanding.
Four. Do you know what I mean?
And this phrase can be shortened to ‘Know what I mean?’
Use this set phrase to check that your listener has understood. Here’s a sentence:
Adam is a little immature. Do you know what I mean?
Five. What do you mean?
Use this phrase to express surprise. For example:
What do you mean, you’re quitting your job?
I’m surprised, I’m shocked: What do you mean?
Six. I see what you mean.
Use it to say that you NOW understand. For instance:
I see what you mean: this knife is useless.
Seven. I didn’t mean to.
Use this one to make an excuse for something you did, like in this sentence:
I’m sorry, I broke the door of the washing machine. I didn’t mean to.
Here you have it! This is all you need to know about the word ‘mean’. You know grammar patterns, you know collocations and set phrases! Time to practise. There are two forms of practice in this podcast. First – speaking out loud, that will take place in a moment. The second form is the Worksheet. Download the Worksheet at teacherola.com/249 or check your inbox if you’re a member of TOP people. Let’s practise speaking right now, let’s go! Repeat the sentences out loud:
I’m tied up at the office, and that means I’ll be late.
I didn’t mean to upset you.
I always meant to get in touch with her.
The name means absolutely nothing to me.
It’s not fair, I mean, you never let me drive.
You are my best friend. I mean it.
Adam is a little immature. Do you know what I mean?
What do you mean, you’re quitting your job?
I see what you mean: this knife is useless.
I’m sorry, I broke the door of the washing machine. I didn’t mean to.
That is it! Well done!! Thank you for staying with me till now. Please don’t forget about the worksheet! And! If you want to receive them regularly, weekly you have to subscribe to my free newsletter, never miss an episode, never miss a Worksheet. Plus! If you subscribe now you’ll get access to a video lesson ‘How to stop translating in your head’. How to do it? Go to teacherola.com/lekcja , leave your email address and that’s it! Teacherola.com/lekcja.
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