How to say “I mean” like a native speaker
Use this to clarify, correct or explain what you have just said. It can also introduce what you really want to emphasize.
All phrases · Small talk
Hear “I mean” in real speech
Clip 1 · Celeste Headlee
Celeste Headlee: 10 ways to have a better conversation | TED · 4:35
About this video
Celeste Headlee discusses habits that can make conversations more useful. She talks about difficult topics and explains how the way a question is asked can limit the answer someone gives.
In context
And I don't mean just set down your cell phone or your tablet or your car keys or whatever is in your hand.I mean, be present.
Be in that moment.
Clip 2 · Sir Ken Robinson
How to escape education's death valley | Sir Ken Robinson | TED · 10:10
About this video
Ken Robinson discusses education and the conditions that help learning grow. He contrasts curiosity with a culture of compliance in which teachers and children are encouraged to follow routines.
In context
I mean, other animals may well have imaginations and creativity, but it's not so much in evidence, is it, as ours?I mean, you may have a dog.
And your dog may get depressed.
Clip 3 · J.J. Abrams
The mystery box | JJ Abrams · 7:44
About this video
J. J. Abrams discusses why mystery matters to him in storytelling. He refers to questions about Lost and uses the idea of a mystery box to think about how stories hold an audience's attention.
In context
And part of that was the amazing availability of technology, knowing we could do anything.I mean, we could never have done that.
We might have been able to write it; we wouldn't have been able to depict it like we did.
When to use “I mean”
- Correcting a meeting time: “Let's meet on Tuesday. I mean Wednesday.”
- Making a criticism more precise: “The room is small. I mean, there's nowhere to put a desk.”
Possible connected-speech patterns in “I mean”
Link the vowel of “I” straight into M. “Mean” has one long vowel, not two separate syllables.
Related phrases
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You don't need to speak fast.
A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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