mean后接不定式與接動名詞

■mean to do sth 的意思是：打算(想要)做某事。此時的主語只能是“人”。如：

I mean to get to the top by sunrise. 我打算在日出時到達山頂。

Do forgive me—I didn’t mean to interrupt. 真對不起——我不是有意打擾你。

Don’t give me then cold shoulder; I don’t mean to make you angry. 你別冷落我，我不是存心惹你生氣的。

To mean to do something and to actually do something are two different things. 打算做一件事和實際上做一件事完全是兩回事。

I meant to send the mover yesterday, but forgot. 本來我昨天就想派人把東西送來，可是我給忘了。

I had meant to come, but something happened. 我本想來，但有事就沒有來。

◎有時接不定式的復合結構。如：

I mean you to go. 我打算讓你去。

Did you mean John to post those letters? 你是想叫約翰去寄那些信嗎?

■mean doing sth 的意思是：意味著(要)做某事。此時的主語不能是“人”。如：

This means helping you. 這意味著幫助你。

To raise wages means increasing purchasing power. 提高工資意味著增加購買力。

I won’t wait if it means delaying more than a week. 如果這意味耽誤一個多禮拜我就不等。

If we mean to catch the early bus, that means getting up before five. 要想趕早班車，我們就得在5點鐘以前起床。

He is determined to get a seat even if it means standing in a queue all night. 即使要整夜排隊，他也決心要買到票。

If you want to pass the exam it will mean studying hard. 你想要考試及格，那就意味著要刻苦學習。

◎有時接動名詞的復合結構。如：

This new order will mean us working overtime. 這一新定單意味著我們得加班加點。