"mean to V" and "mean -ing"

[jinnyk216]

Do "mean to V" and "mean -ing" have different meaning?

 

[J&K Tutoring]

In the example(s) I thought of, yes, there is a difference, but I don't know if you are thinking of the same thing. Please give at least one example of the structure/word(s) you mean.

 

[jinnyk216]

In the example(s) I thought of, yes, there is a difference, but I don't know if you are thinking of the same thing. Please give at least one example of the structure/word(s) you mean.

I saw the sentence below in a test passage:

But trying them all might mean eating more than your usual meal size.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, they certainly do have very different meanings.

 

[jinnyk216]

Yes, they certainly do have very different meanings.

Can you teach me how they have different meanings?

 

[jutfrank]

Here's a basic explanation.

1) mean + to-infinitive

In this pattern, mean is roughly the same as intend. The subject of the verb is a person.

He didn't mean to hurt you.
I meant to tell you but I forgot.


2) mean + -ing

In this pattern, mean is roughly the same as involve, where the object of the verb is a consequence of the subject. The subject of the verb therefore cannot be a person.

Having a job usually means getting up early.
Being an English teacher means having to mark lots of essays.

 

[Rover_KE]

I saw the sentence below in a test passage:

But trying them all might mean eating more than your usual meal size.

In future threads, jinnyk, please give full context, including examples such as this, in post #1.

 

[jinnyk216]

Wow, thank you very much for your post!

 

[Rover_KE]

Wow! Thank you very much for your post.

;-)