Mean + gérondif exprime le résultat d'une action, ou ce qui sera nécessaire suite à une action. Le mot mean pourrait être remplacé par le mot involve (implique).
Exemples
- If you take that job in London it will mean travelling for two hours every day.
- We could take the ferry to France, but that will mean spending a night in a hotel.
- Buying this jacket now means not buying another until next year.
- Leaving school would mean finding a job.
Mean + l'infinitif exprime une intention ou un projet. Le mot mean pourrait être remplacé par le mot intend (avoir l'intention).
Exemples
- Did you mean to dial this number?
- I mean to finish this job by the end of the week!
- I didn't mean to hurt you.
- I meant to return the books on time.