Mean + gerundium uttrykker hva resultatet av en handling vil være, eller hva som vil være nødvendig. Ordet mean kan erstattes av ordet involve.
Eksempler
- If you take that job in London it will mean travelling for two hours every day.
- We could take the ferry to France, but that will mean spending a night in a hotel.
- Buying this jacket now means not buying another until next year.
- Leaving school would mean finding a job.
Mean + infinitiv uttrykker en hensikt eller plan. Ordet mean kan erstattes av ordet intend.
Eksempler
- Did you mean to dial this number?
- I mean to finish this job by the end of the week!
- I didn't mean to hurt you.
- I meant to return the books on time.