the means vs they mean

These two phrases are not directly comparable as they have different meanings and functions. 'The means' refers to a method or resources used to achieve something, while 'they mean' is used to talk about the intention or significance of something. Therefore, the choice between them depends on the context in which they are used.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 809 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to methods or resources used to achieve something.

"the means"

Use 'the means' when referring to the methods, resources, or instruments used to achieve a certain goal or outcome.

Examples:

We need to consider all the means at our disposal to solve this problem.
Education is one of the means to combat poverty.
He used all the means available to him to succeed in his business.
The government is exploring different means to improve public transportation.
She employed various means to communicate her ideas effectively.

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Such reflection is particularly needed in a continent which does have the means to decisively reduce poverty and social exclusion.
Governments must find the means to act as catalysts and promote or even reward such agreements.
I can provide the means to kill.
And the means of their destruction.
It not only has the means but the responsibility towards European citizens.
And we must multiply the means for effectively disseminating such ideas.
In Atlanta, we have the means.
We have the means and the murderers.
End justify the means, Father?
We don't have the means to beat them in a trial.
This will provide him with the means.
No, not of the science, but the means by which you purchase favour.
...for whom the ends always justify the means.
- It never justifies the means.
We've only been the means of repairing...
The state provides all the means necessary to know an individual.
And he had the means right at his feet.
He supplies hezbollah and other terrorist groups with the means for their nastiness.
I keep telling myself the end justifies the means, but I'm hurting people.
A man seemingly without a conscience for whom the ends always justify the means.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about the intention or significance of something.

"they mean"

Use 'they mean' to discuss the intention behind someone's words or actions, or to explain the significance or interpretation of something.

Examples:

What do they mean by their silence?
His words may sound harsh, but they mean well.
The symbols in the painting have a deeper meaning.
I didn't understand what they meant by that gesture.
The colors in the flag represent different meanings.

Show examples from the web [+]

Okay, this time, they mean the same thing.
Then all we have to do is find out what they mean.
And by terminated, they mean killed.
It's not clear, but they mean to execute him tonight.
Don't know what they mean yet, but we will.
I guess I'm just curious, you know - what they mean.
Come on, Dad, they mean the mosque.
So this is what they mean by high-maintenance.
When they say George is missing, maybe they mean something else.
They were marking out the land, they mean to settle here.
But they mean the world to both of us.
Maybe they mean you're something special.
If they mean what I think they do, then there's no telling what terrible things Richard may be capable of.
Henry, you have many gifts but they mean little without impulse control, discipline and the tools to use them wisely.
It's not what they mean.
That source can tell you what they mean.
Those guys, they mean everything to him.
I know nothing of what they mean.
So whatever you know about what they mean would really help us.
We show you charts and statistics like they mean something.

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the means vs they mean

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