by R. S. Karunaratne

Grammar patterns of 'mean'

'Mean' is an irregular verb

Present tense: mean

Past tense: meant

Past participle: meant

It means 'signify' or 'represent'.

Red means stop.

Green means go.

What does 'bon jour' mean in English?

It means 'good day'.

Sometimes, 'mean' is followed by 'that'.

These figures mean that about 25 percent of the working population is unemployed.

What do you mean by that word?

Do you know what I mean?

Yes, I know that.

'Mean' is used to say that something involves doing or being something.

I'll finish this job even it means giving up my leisure time activities.

Love means being faithful to someone you like.

'Mean' is sometimes used to talk about intentions.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

She meant to buy a birthday gift, but she forgot.

'Mean' can be used to say what is expressed, intended, or allowed.

These rooms are meant for the visitors.

I meant to help you, but you have misunderstood me.

'Mean' is used to emphasize what you say.

I want you to return my book by tomorrow and I mean it!

Get lost! I mean it.

'Mean' can show a particular result.

Too many employees mean lower salaries.

Low prices mean low quality.

'Mean' is used to show that you have an important emotional effect on someone.

This is not something valuable to preserve, but it means a lot to me.

Money means nothing to a hermit.

Some adverbs such as 'really, simply' and 'always' are frequently used with 'mean'.

To most tourists Dubai simply means cheap shopping.

She didn't really mean to come with you.

I always meant to support her views.

Set phrases with 'mean'.

Don't be stupid, I mean you must respect my opinions.

Here's the principal, I mean the headmaster, of our school. (You correct yourself)

You must be joking! No, I mean it. (I am serious)

You are the best mum in the world. I mean it.

We will let you know. (After an interview)

You mean, you're going to inform me?

Jesus was a great human being. Do you know what I mean?

What do you mean, you're leaving the country? (To show surprise)

I see what you mean: this place is horrible, (Now I understand)

I'm sorry: I took your book without your permission. I didn't mean to. (You are making an excuse)

Activity

Fill in the blanks with suitable expressions.

1. ............, I think she is a good teacher.

2. I know, mother ............, but she doesn't listen to me.

3. What do ............., it was my fault?

4. Give it back now! I .............

5. Advances in technology ............. better life.

6. Books with large print are ............. children.

7. I have been ............ to meet you all this time.

8. What I ............ was that the function is at 9 a.m.

9. This exercise is not ............ be difficult.

10. Material wealth ............ nothing to him.

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[Electric words ]

Words are wonderful raw material for making sentences. Those who know more words are at an advantage to speak fluently and write effectively. Here is a quiz to learn some new words. Refer to the key after doing it.

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1. He was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to topple the government.

a) formally accused

b) discharged

c) paradoned

2. Some people in the Third World are in dire need of food.

a) rare

b) very serious

c) clear

3. We were accorded a cordial welcome.

a) rude

b) unkind

c) friendly

4. Experts say that advertising world is a cut-throat business.

a) killing

b) fierce

c) dangerous

5. Colours look nice in daylight.

a) natural light from the sun

b) morning

c) bright light

6. Sanath made his debut as a director recently.

a) mark

b) money

c) first performance

7. Charles Dickens is well-known for his deathless prose.

a) uninteresting

b) lasting for ever

c) readable

8. Debris from the train was scattered over a large area.

a) broken pieces

b) compartments

c) passengers

9. After 100 years the building has depreciated in values.

a) stabilized

b) increased

c) lost

10. Anoma is dynamic and popular in the team.

a) lazy

b) energetic

c) proud

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Key

1. a, 2. b, 3. c, 4. b, 5. a, 6. c, 7. b, 8. a, 9. c, 10.b

Starters

Know your contractions

Most contractions are made from pronouns and verbs. When a pronoun and a verb are put together we form a contraction by dropping a letter or two and showing the omission by inserting an apostrophe.

Here are some contractions with a pronoun and a verb 'will'.

I + will = i'll

We + will = we'll

You + will = you'll

He + will = he'll

she + will = she'll

It + will = it'll

They + will = they'll

Eg: He will close the door

They'll come later

Pronoun + verb 'is'

He + is = he's

She + is = she's

It + is = it's

Eg: He's not at home

It is not my pen.

Pronoun + verb 'are'

We + are = we're

You + are = you're

They + are = they're

Eg: They are happy

We're coming home

When we join 'not' to another word, we leave out 'o' in 'not' and write the apostrophe (') in its place.

Examples

is + not = isn't

was + not = wasn't

does + not = doesn't

has + not = hasn't

are + not = aren't

were + not = weren't

do + not = don't

have + not = haven't

Activity

Join these words together

1. did not ............

2. could not ..........

3. had not ............

4. would not...........

5. should not...........

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Key

1. didn't

2. couldn't

3. hadn't

4. wouldn't

5. shouldn't

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Collective nouns

A collective noun names a group of animals or things.

Fill in the blanks with the following collective nouns: flock, litter, school, bunch, clutch, herd, shoal, pack, pride, swarm

1. A -- of bees

2. A -- of dolphins

3. A -- of pups

4. A -- of cows

5. A -- of lions

6. A -- of fish

7. A -- of wolves

8. A -- of eggs

9. A -- of grapes

10. A -- of sheep

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Key

1. A swarm of bees

2. A school of dolphins

3. A litter of pups

4. A herd of cows

5. A pride of lions

6. A shoal of fish

7. A pack of wolves

8. A clutch of eggs

9. A bunch of grapes

10. A flock of sheep

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