Using "mean"

[Andris]

Hello,

please does this make good sense in english?

"We are a small group of independent game developers who want to provide a mean for creation of interactive digital content such as simulations and games. We feel passionate about arcade games and games for kids."

Especially, I'm pretty unsure about the "provide a mean for creation of ...", I guess it eventually might be said "provide a way to creation", I wonder if either of that makes a sense

Thanks

 

[euncu]

***Neither a teacher nor a native-speaker***
What I understand from your text is that you provide kids a software so they can make their own games. Is it what you meant to say?

 

[Andris]

What I understand from your text is that you provide kids a software so they can make their own games. Is it what you meant to say?

That's more a dream, a nite tool for kids would be cool, but the software and used technologies are still relatively difficult to use, so more than tools for kids the tools are for experienced creators that just feel better creating cute and simpler games over mainstream killing action. Or like that

 

[Andris]

The text appears on this page Arcade Indie

I'm usually not asking anyone about doing language revisions, because there aren't too many experienced english speakers around here, but on this occasion, if anyone feels in need correcting any grammar on our page, I'd be really happy. I'm often using english some honkey tonkey I guess. Well, what can you do if it's so difficult at times

 

[tedtmc]

I guess it eventually might be said "provide a way to creation"..

'Way' and 'means' mean the same thing.

How about:
providing the software to facilitate the creation of...

 

[Andris]

'Way' and 'means' mean the same thing.

Good I used just 'mean' without 's' and that confused me while consulting a dictionary

How about:
providing the software to facilitate the creation of...

Sounds fine and is exactly what we're trying to do, but I think I just let the 'means'

 

[Andris]

I don't seem to be able to quote the corrections posted by Gil for some reason, but is it really "provide a means for the creation.." with "a means"? It sounds like a plural to me and I wonder about the "a" ?

 

[Andris]

is it really "provide a means for the creation.." ... I wonder about the "a" ?

I checked with google and it seems the correct syntax

Ok, thanks for the help

 

[tedtmc]

'Mean' and 'means' are two different words.
'Means' is singular.

 

[Andris]

'Mean' and 'means' are two different words.

Understand

'Means' is singular.

Actually, the vocabulary shows it's both plural and singular... strange word, I like it

 

[tedtmc]

UnderstandActually, the vocabulary shows it's both plural and singular... strange word, I like it

BTW, there is such a thing called a means test when one applies for scholarship or some kind of financial aid.

Another word which sounds plural but is singular (and plural as well) is 'premises'.