as a means of vs as means of

Both "as a means of" and "as means of" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "As a means of" is more commonly used and considered more formal, while "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.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 5617 views

as a means of

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

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

as means of

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