means

Expert replies

Previous Topic Next Topic

confuse mind: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 462; Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 10 times

by confuse mind » Sat May 28, 2011 7:31 pm

which is the correct idiom

means to/ means for / means of
or are these contextual?

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Sentence Correction | Sat May 28, 2011 7:31 pm

cans: Legendary Member; Posts: 1309; Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:34 amFollowed by: 123 members; Location: India; Thanked: 310 times; GMAT Score:750

by cans » Sat May 28, 2011 8:08 pm

I feel means to and means for are correct.
but don't remember using means for...

Like this post

confuse mind: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 462; Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 10 times

by confuse mind » Sat May 28, 2011 8:42 pm

cans wrote:I feel means to and means for are correct.
but don't remember using means for...

I hope you meant 'means to' instead!
Can you enumerate the examples and usage guidelines?

i can think some-

means of
means of communication / means of transport

i don't know which of the following is correct
means to
What is the best means to cross XYZ lake?

means for
What is the best means for crossing XYZ lake?

means of
What if the best means of crossing XYZ lake?

Like this post

confuse mind: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 462; Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:08 pmFollowed by: 4 members; Thanked: 10 times

by confuse mind » Mon May 30, 2011 3:48 am

any idea someone?

Like this post

aspirant2011: Legendary Member; Posts: 1574; Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 amFollowed by: 13 members; Thanked: 88 times

by aspirant2011 » Mon May 30, 2011 9:21 am

I have heard about "means to" and "means of" as an idiom as explained below-

X is a means to Y-implies X is used as a way to achieve Y
Meditation is a means to nirvana.
meditation is used to achieve nirvana.

X is a means of Y - imples X is a type of Y
Cricket is a means of sport

Like this post

cans: Legendary Member; Posts: 1309; Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:34 amFollowed by: 123 members; Location: India; Thanked: 310 times; GMAT Score:750

by cans » Mon May 30, 2011 11:31 am

confuse mind wrote:
cans wrote:I feel means to and means for are correct.
but don't remember using means for...
I hope you meant 'means to' instead!

I meant - "means to" and "means of"
(don't remember using means for...)

Like this post

Jim@Grockit: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 641; Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:07 pmFollowed by: 45 members; Location: Madison, WI; Thanked: 162 times; GMAT Score:760

by Jim@Grockit » Mon May 30, 2011 10:12 pm

Normally you see "means to" where "means" = "wealth", like She has the means to take long vacations every year, and "means of" where "means" = "way of doing something", as with walking, biking, and various other means of getting there.

Like this post

Post new topic Locked

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review