Collocations for means - noun
1. method of doing sth
ADJECTIVE
appropriate,
convenient,
effective,
efficient,
reliable,
useful
an effective means of mass communication
an effective means of mass communication
best,
preferred
Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.
Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.
necessary,
possible,
practicable
(BrE)
We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.
We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.
alternate (AmE),
alternative,
other
War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.
War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.
primary,
principal
Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.
Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.
only,
sole
Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.
Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.
conventional,
traditional
legal, legitimate
non-violent, peaceful
military
electronic, technical
Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.
legal, legitimate
non-violent, peaceful
military
electronic, technical
Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.
VERB + means
have
We have no means of knowing how they will react.
We have no means of knowing how they will react.
use
offer (sb), provide (sb with)
My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.
offer (sb), provide (sb with)
My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.
develop,
devise
Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem?
Can you devise a means of overcoming the problem?
PREPOSITION
by means (of)
The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley.
The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley.
through means
They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.
They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.
means for
the means for achieving happiness
the means for achieving happiness
means of
a means of access/communication/transport
a means of getting what you want
a means of access/communication/transport
a means of getting what you want
PHRASES
the end justifies the means
In the case of torture, the end can never justify the means.
In the case of torture, the end can never justify the means.
a means to an end
He saw his education merely as a means to an end.
He saw his education merely as a means to an end.
by any means necessary,
by fair means or foul
by no means/not by any means (= not at all), ways and means
There are ways and means of raising money.
by no means/not by any means (= not at all), ways and means
There are ways and means of raising money.
2. money/wealth
ADJECTIVE
independent,
private
She must have independent means to live in such style.
She must have independent means to live in such style.
limited,
little,
moderate,
modest,
slender
visible
people who lack visible means of support
visible
people who lack visible means of support
PREPOSITION
according to your means
(= according to what you can afford)
beyond your means
Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
beyond your means
Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
within your means
(= according to what you can afford)
She finds it difficult to live within her means.
She finds it difficult to live within her means.