as a means of vs as means of

"As a means of" is correct and is considered more formal. However, "as means of" is less common and may sound slightly awkward. The choice between the two depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 27, 2025 • 5910 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in formal contexts.

"as a means of "

This phrase is used to introduce the method or way in which something is done or achieved. It is often followed by a noun or a gerund.

Examples:

As a means of improving efficiency, the company implemented new software.
They used music therapy as a means of reducing stress levels.
The scholarship served as a means of supporting students in need.
As a means of transportation, bicycles are a popular choice in the city.
The workshop was organized as a means of promoting teamwork.

Show examples from the web [+]

The European Commission has defended dialogue with Iran as a means of promoting human rights and democracy.
Alliance is made up of power-hungry... Violence as a means of enforcing their dominion.
This is crime as a means of control.
Multilingualism and foreign language teaching as a means of promoting intercultural dialogue
It functions well as a means of ensuring freedom to provide TV services in the Community.
Here they are being used as a means of raising domestic policy issues.
Not as a means of controlling a population, no.
He underlined the importance of knowledge as a means of enabling opportunity.
It is deplorable that Cambodian courts are still resorting to arrest as a means of intimidating political opponents and dissidents.
We must never give up diplomacy as a means of discussion, persuasion and achieving results.
The EU is using unemployment as a means of intimidating workers.
The Iranian judiciary had decided to suspend the use of stoning as a means of execution.
The Commission will also emphasise the importance of developing institutional capabilities as a means of improving the application of the Convention.
This desperate attempt to use translations as a means of altering substance must not succeed.
He most likely discovered yoga as a means of rehab.
Transshipping at sea is widely utilized by vessels flying flags of convenience, as a means of avoiding inspections in port.
An enlarged Europe makes a balanced cohesion and structural policy more important than ever as a means of counteracting structural differences.
The European Parliament was broadly unanimous in supporting those states that rejected pre-emptive warfare as a means of conducting international policy and as a model for conflict resolution.
Terrorism must be resolutely rejected and condemned as a means of achieving specific ends.
Appropriate knowledge should be available anywhere there is large-scale use of the euro as a means of payment.

Alternatives:

as a way of
as a method of
as a tool for
as a strategy for
as a mechanism for

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It may sound slightly awkward compared to "as a means of".

"as means of "

This phrase can also be used to introduce the method or way in which something is done or achieved, but it is less commonly used and may be perceived as less formal.

Examples:

The new policy was implemented as means of improving customer satisfaction.
They used technology as means of increasing productivity.
The program served as means of addressing social issues.
As means of communication, email has become essential in business.
The survey was conducted as means of gathering feedback.

Show examples from the web [+]

As we know, many social networks have become widely accepted as means of communication.
I find it ironic that we're using gifts from our enemies as means of escape.
serve as means of communication of appropriate information to employers (in the public and private sectors) in order to facilitate cross-borders recruitment;
The concept of legal tender means that euro banknotes cannot be refused as means of payments in retail transactions, unless the parties agree on other means of payments.
The 2007 Eurobarometer survey on youth, indicates that the large majority of young people have a positive view of volunteering programmes as means of increasing their participation in society.
Will the Commission be publishing proposals to encourage investment in integrated early-years education and childcare services as means of galvanising local and national economies via job creation, whilst also investing in the labour force in both the short and longer term?
accepted as means of payment by undertakings other than the issuer.
The so-called n+2 rule, created to make administration more efficient, does not work, because the Commission accepts repeated advance payments as means of payment, even though the project itself should not even have been started.
serve as means of communication of appropriate information to recipients of services in order to increase consumer health and safety,
recognises the importance of the Knowledge Triangle, consisting of interaction between research, education and innovation, as means of increasing innovation capacity and improving employability of graduates in Europe;
Does the Commission have any information on public agencies in Member States, and at EU level - particularly health services offering only premium rate telephone numbers as means of contact?
Member States should authorise and promote telephone, e-mail and video conferencing as means of communication.
High denomination banknotes should be accepted as means of payment in retail transactions.
This was the fourth time that port state measures had been agreed in an international instrument as means of monitoring and controlling fishing activities.
I will refer now to some of the specific concerns expressed in the draft resolution, such as means of transport, staging points and export refunds.
Subject: Mountain and island regions as means of strengthening cohesion
My expectation, then, is that the Commission will come up with some really concrete measures as means of implementing this resolution in practical terms.
I welcome the idea of using specific projects as means of continuing to put Europe on the map.
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to prevent euro collector coins from being used as means of payments, such as special packaging, certificate of authentication, previous announcement from the issuing authority or issuance above face value.
The seller could sell the bonds on the securities market, use them as means of payment or keep them.

Alternatives:

as a means of
as a way of
as a method of
as a tool for
as a strategy for

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

as a means of vs as means of

"as a means of "

"as means of "

Related Comparisons

2. Submit Your Text

3. Receive Your Polished Text