I mean is used to correct yourself as you speak (It's on Monday, I mean Tuesday) or to explain what you've just said: I like my job. I mean, it's not perfect, but the team is great. It's a typical feature of everyday speech. With friends and colleagues it sounds natural, but in an essay or a formal letter, write in other words or for example instead.
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wrong word, I mean + correct word; statement. I mean, + explanation or detail
- The meeting is at three, I mean half past three. Sorry, I misread the email.
- I don't hate living in the city. I mean, it's noisy, but there's so much to do.
- Turn left at the bank, I mean the post office, and then go straight on.
What changed
First versionLet's meet on Tuesday, it means, on Wednesday. Sorry, I'm tired.
RevisionLet's meet on Tuesday, I mean, on Wednesday. Sorry, I'm tired.
It's tempting to use it means for a correction, since both seem to say “that is”. But it means explains what something signifies: The light is red. It means stop. When you correct your own slip, use I mean.
Don't confuse I mean with I mean it. The second means “I'm serious”, “I'm not joking”: Don't be late again. I mean it. And with the question What do you mean? you ask the other person to explain what they said.
Your turn
The train leaves at 7:15, ___ 7:50. Sorry, I was looking at the wrong line.
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I mean — The speaker first looked at the wrong line and gave the wrong time, then corrected it. That's correcting your own slip, so I mean. It means explains what something signifies and doesn't work for correcting yourself.
You're arranging to meet a friend and get the time wrong. Write a sentence where you immediately correct yourself with I mean and explain why you need a different time.
Let's meet outside the cinema at six, I mean seven, because my class finishes late today.
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