Mean past tense

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Meaning of mean

intend to convey, indicate, or refer to (a particular thing or notion); signify.

Infinitive

Word: mean /miːn/
Examples:
  • 1. The color red often means love or passion in many cultures.
  • 2. This symbol means peace in our community.
  • 3. What does this word mean in your language?

Past Simple

Word: meant /mɛnt/
Examples:
  • 1. Yesterday, she explained what the symbols meant in the ancient manuscript.
  • 2. He meant to call her back, but forgot as the day went on.
  • 3. The look in his eyes meant trouble, and I knew we had to leave immediately.

Past Participle

Word: meant /mɛnt/
Examples:
  • 1. The mistake was meant to be corrected by the end of the day.
  • 2. The hidden message had been meant for her eyes only.
  • 3. The words were meant to soothe, but instead, they stung.

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Bare infinitive

  1. General truths or facts
    Example. The symbol '&' means 'and.'
    Example. I usually mean to exercise in the morning but often run out of time.
    Example. This sign means that the area is restricted.
    Example. To solve this equation means to find the value of x.
  2. Habitual actions or routines
    Example. The symbol '&' means 'and.'
    Example. I usually mean to exercise in the morning but often run out of time.
    Example. This sign means that the area is restricted.
    Example. To solve this equation means to find the value of x.
  3. Permanent situations
    Example. The symbol '&' means 'and.'
    Example. I usually mean to exercise in the morning but often run out of time.
    Example. This sign means that the area is restricted.
    Example. To solve this equation means to find the value of x.
  4. Instructions or directions
    Example. The symbol '&' means 'and.'
    Example. I usually mean to exercise in the morning but often run out of time.
    Example. This sign means that the area is restricted.
    Example. To solve this equation means to find the value of x.
  5. Scheduled events (in the near future)
    Example. The meeting means we must organize our reports by tomorrow.
    Example. The symbol '&' means 'and.'
    Example. I usually mean to exercise in the morning but often run out of time.
    Example. This sign means that the area is restricted.
    Example. To solve this equation means to find the value of x.

Past Simple

  1. Completed actions in the past at a specific time
    Example. He meant to call you yesterday but forgot.
    Example. Growing up, your grandfather meant the world to me.
    Example. That sign meant something different in the past.
    Example. First, I explained what I meant, and then I showed them the evidence.
    Example. She said she meant to lock the door before leaving.
  2. Past habits
    Example. He meant to call you yesterday but forgot.
    Example. Growing up, your grandfather meant the world to me.
    Example. That sign meant something different in the past.
    Example. First, I explained what I meant, and then I showed them the evidence.
    Example. She said she meant to lock the door before leaving.
  3. Past states or situations
    Example. He meant to call you yesterday but forgot.
    Example. Growing up, your grandfather meant the world to me.
    Example. That sign meant something different in the past.
    Example. First, I explained what I meant, and then I showed them the evidence.
    Example. She said she meant to lock the door before leaving.
  4. Sequence of actions in the past
    Example. He meant to call you yesterday but forgot.
    Example. Growing up, your grandfather meant the world to me.
    Example. That sign meant something different in the past.
    Example. First, I explained what I meant, and then I showed them the evidence.
    Example. She said she meant to lock the door before leaving.
  5. Indirect speech or reporting what someone said in the past
    Example. He meant to call you yesterday but forgot.
    Example. Growing up, your grandfather meant the world to me.
    Example. That sign meant something different in the past.
    Example. First, I explained what I meant, and then I showed them the evidence.
    Example. She said she meant to lock the door before leaving.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect tenses (Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future Perfect) to show actions or states at unspecified times or that have relevance to other times
    Example. Present Perfect. I have meant to visit Paris for years.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time the concert started, we had already meant to leave.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, I will have meant to finish all my studies.
    Example. This gift is meant to show my appreciation.
    Example. If I had meant to offend you, I would have been more direct.
    Example. This legislation was meant to improve healthcare access.
  2. Passive voice to describe an action done to the subject of the sentence
    Example. Present Perfect. I have meant to visit Paris for years.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time the concert started, we had already meant to leave.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, I will have meant to finish all my studies.
    Example. This gift is meant to show my appreciation.
    Example. If I had meant to offend you, I would have been more direct.
    Example. This legislation was meant to improve healthcare access.
  3. Conditional sentences to express hypothetical situations or wishes
    Example. Present Perfect. I have meant to visit Paris for years.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time the concert started, we had already meant to leave.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, I will have meant to finish all my studies.
    Example. This gift is meant to show my appreciation.
    Example. If I had meant to offend you, I would have been more direct.
    Example. This legislation was meant to improve healthcare access.
  4. Expressing necessity or intention from the past that affects the present
    Example. Present Perfect. I have meant to visit Paris for years.
    Example. Past Perfect. By the time the concert started, we had already meant to leave.
    Example. Future Perfect. By next year, I will have meant to finish all my studies.
    Example. This gift is meant to show my appreciation.
    Example. If I had meant to offend you, I would have been more direct.
    Example. This legislation was meant to improve healthcare access.

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing Forms

A common mistake is confusing the simple past form of 'mean' with its past participle form. The simple past form is 'meant,' and it is used to express an action that occurred and was completed in the past. The past participle form is also 'meant,' used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses. The confusion often arises because both forms are identical, but they serve different grammatical functions. For example, incorrectly Misusing base form. Incorrect. 'Yesterday, I mean to call you.' Correct. 'Yesterday, I meant to call you.'

— 02

Incorrect Participle Form

Another mistake involves attempting to add a typical past participle ending to 'mean,' such as '-ed,' which leads to non-existent forms like 'meaned.' Since 'mean' is an irregular verb, its past and past participle forms do not follow the regular pattern and both are 'meant.' Incorrect attempts to regularize it show a misunderstanding of its irregular nature. Incorrect. 'I have meaned to tell you.' Correct. 'I have meant to tell you.'

— 03

Misusing Past Participle

The past participle 'meant' must always be used with an auxiliary verb to form perfect aspect tenses or passive voice constructions. A common mistake is using 'meant' on its own, as if it were a simple past form without the necessary auxiliary verb, leading to grammatically incomplete sentences. This mistake often occurs in perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect) and passive voice constructions. Incorrect. 'I meant the book by its cover.' (attempting to convey a present perfect meaning) Correct. 'I have meant to judge the book by its cover.'

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'mean'?

The past simple form of 'mean' is 'meant.' It is used to describe an action or a situation that occurred in the past and has been completed. For example, 'Yesterday, she meant to call you but got busy with work.'

What is the past participle form of 'mean'?

The past participle form of 'mean' is also 'meant.' It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice sentences. For example, in the sentence 'I have always meant to visit Paris,' 'meant' is used as the past participle in the present perfect tense.

How do I use 'meant' in a sentence to describe a past intention that didn't happen?

To describe a past intention that didn't happen, you can use 'meant' in a sentence structure that indicates the intention was not fulfilled. For example, 'I meant to buy groceries on my way home, but the store was closed.' This sentence shows an intention that was not realized.

Can 'meant' be used to describe something in a conditional sentence?

Yes, 'meant' can be used in conditional sentences, particularly in the second conditional, to describe hypothetical situations or actions in the past. For example, 'If he meant to apologize, he would have called by now.' This sentence suggests a hypothetical situation where an action (apologizing) did not occur.