What's the Past Tense of Mean? (Mean or Meant)

When we talk or write about something that happened in the past, we often change the form of our verbs. This is called using the “past tense.” Today, let’s clear up a common question: when talking about the past, should we say “mean” or “meant”?

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The Past Tense of “Mean”

The past tense of “mean” is “meant.” It sounds like “ment.” We use “meant” when we’re talking about things that were explained or understood in the past. Let’s make it super simple with some examples:

Yesterday’s Talk: Imagine yesterday your friend told you that they were going to give you a surprise. Today, you might say, “My friend meant to give me a surprise.” Here, “meant” shows that your friend had the plan or idea yesterday, not today.
Past Ideas: Sometimes, what people thought in the past is different from what they think now. You might hear, “In the past, people meant something different when they used that word.” “Meant” here helps us understand that the idea or meaning of the word was different before.
Old Signs: Long ago, some signs might have been hard to understand. You could say, “The old sign meant to show us the way to the park.” Here, “meant” tells us that the sign was trying to give us directions in the past.

Using “meant” is like taking a little trip back in time. It helps us share stories, ideas, and feelings from before. Remember, when you’re talking about what someone or something was trying to say or show in the past, “meant” is the word you need. It’s like a key that unlocks stories from days gone by.

Why It’s Important

Using “mean” or “meant” correctly helps us make our sentences clear. It lets the person we’re talking to or the reader know whether we’re talking about something happening now or something that happened before.

Let’s look at some examples to make it even clearer:

Present Tense: “What does this word mean?”

Here, you’re asking about the meaning of a word right now, in the present.

Past Tense: “What did that word mean?”

In this case, you’re asking about the meaning of a word in the past. Notice how “mean” changes to “meant.”

Tips to Remember

Present Situations: Use “mean” when talking about the present or a general truth. Example: “What does this color mean in traffic lights?”
Past Events: Use “meant” when you’re talking about the past. Example: “She explained what her gift meant to her.”

Use of Meant in Sentences

His wink was meant to convey understanding.
His glance was meant to communicate urgency.
The dance was meant to celebrate their culture.
The joke was meant to lighten the mood.
The artwork was meant to provoke thought.
The message was meant for her, not for him.
The monument was meant to honor their sacrifice.
The experiment was meant to test their hypothesis.
The gift was meant to express gratitude.
The compliment was meant to boost her confidence.
Her tears were meant to express sorrow.
His sigh was meant to express frustration.
His speech was meant to motivate the team.
The email was meant to clarify the instructions.
The sacrifice was meant to secure their future.
The warning was meant to prevent accidents.
His tone was meant to convey authority.
They were meant to be together from the start.
The gesture was meant as a sign of gratitude.
The upgrade was meant to improve performance.
The silence was meant to create suspense.
The song was meant to evoke nostalgia.
The surprise was meant to delight her.
The appointment was meant to discuss future plans.
Their laughter was meant to echo through the halls.
The secret code was meant to protect their communications.
The delay was meant to allow for further preparation.
The rain was meant to nourish the crops.
The handshake was meant to seal the deal.
His frown was meant to convey disapproval.
His smile was meant to brighten her day.
The recipe was meant to be simple to follow.
Her nod was meant to signal agreement.
The question was meant to provoke critical thinking.
The hike was meant to challenge their endurance.
The map was meant to guide them through the forest.
His silence was meant to signal agreement.
The meeting was meant to foster collaboration.
The scent was meant to evoke memories of home.
The quote was meant to inspire reflection.
His shrug was meant to indicate indifference.
His words were meant to inspire confidence.
She meant well but misunderstood the situation.
The detour was meant to avoid traffic.
Her smile was meant to reassure him.
The handshake was meant to establish trust.
I meant to call you yesterday.
The apology was meant to mend fences.
The assignment was meant to encourage creativity.
The meeting was meant to address concerns.

What’s the Past Tense of Mean? (Mean or Meant)