Mean + gerundium uttrycker vad som kommer att bli resultatet av ett agerande, eller vad som kommer att vara nödvändigt. Ordet mean kan ersättas av ordet involve.
Exempel
- 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 uttrycker en intention eller en plan. Ordet mean kan ersättas av ordet intend.
Exempel
- 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.