that he meant vs that he means

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'That he meant' is used when referring to something that someone intended or conveyed in the past, while 'that he means' is used when referring to someone's current intentions or messages.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 862 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something that someone intended or conveyed in the past.

"that he meant"

This phrase is used to talk about intentions or messages that were conveyed by someone in the past. It indicates that the meaning or intention was clear at a previous point in time.

Examples:

I finally understood what he meant when he said he needed some space.
She realized what he meant by his cryptic message.
It was clear from his expression what he meant.

Show examples from the web [+]

"Uncap the Sharpie?" By that he meant...
By that he meant... his sharpie, crews.
Evan, I really don't think that he meant that.
Any chance that he meant Cece?
I doubt that he meant to leave a trail.
And that he meant nothing to her.
And that he meant nothing to her.
So then I realised that he meant to kill me anyway.
I just don't think that he meant to hurt her.
Any chance that he meant Cece?
Right, but he also signed an abstinence agreement, so I think that he meant to.
I was certain an announcement was to be made any day... that he meant it this time.
Yes. We were both admiring your skill at convincing every man in the room that he meant something to you.
And by that he meant "kill." No.
Honestly, I... Evan, I really don't think that he meant that.
By that he meant that it is the disciplined person who knows what it means to become annoyed by the undisciplined and disorganised.
Only that he meant to kill me for what I did to Ariadne.
Look, I know that he meant a lot to you, okay?
And by that he meant it's organized because they do it collectively, they do it as a group, and skepticism, because they do it from a position of distrust.
I imagine that he meant something like this: there is no greater unit of consciousness in the world than the consciousness of a single individual.

Alternatives:

that he intended
that he conveyed
that he was trying to say
that he implied
that he indicated

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to someone's current intentions or messages.

"that he means"

This phrase is used to talk about someone's current intentions or messages. It indicates that the meaning or intention is relevant at the present moment.

Examples:

I understand what he means with his latest project proposal.
She is confused about what he means by his actions.
It is important to clarify what he means before making any decisions.

Show examples from the web [+]

And by that he means super risky, job-wise.
Well, we believe that he means the government loves you.
By that he means his whiskey collection.
We can only assume he is coming here and that he means to do us harm.
She says that Javi's on his way to her house, that he means to kill her.
Things like that require the joint effort of the entire society, Kacin underlined, while specifying that he means the pro-active engagement of the ruling coalition, opposition and the civil society.
That is what President Renzi is going to need to do: choose some clear, memorable priorities, ones which the public can understand, and which show that he means what he says and is not going to back down or compromise.
It's a beam of his holiness to us, reminding us of his ways - and that he means what he says!
Because he wants to send a message to the wife That he means business, make sure she doesn't call the police.
I have known him for a long time and I am absolutely certain that he means what he says in this particular report.
Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK) was pleased to hear the President talking about dealing with unscrupulous employers, assuming by that that he means those who keep people in near slavery conditions, pay them extremely badly and exploit them.
He wanted to make you understand that he means business.
That he means business, make sure she doesn't call the police.
And by that, he means from people like you.
And, by that, he means prickly, self-protective and hard to crack.
That-that means he's able to communicate.
That was just- He means the vehicle.
So that means he fell from a distance of...
And, by that, he means if you mess with their territory, they will seriously mess you up.
If Merlyn's not here, then that - that means he's on his way there with the idol.

Alternatives:

that he intends
that he is conveying
that he is trying to say
that he is implying
that he is indicating

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that he meant vs that he means

"that he meant"

"that he means"

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