I meant vs. I was meant and I'm meant

Question

Hello, Guys.

I'm totally tangled up with those words and their usage. I don't actually have any sentences, but i if understand that "i meant" means that i had something to say or do in my mind , but please someone, explain to me what's the difference between " I was meant" and "I'm meant".
Thanks in advance

Avangi · Accepted Answer

"To mean" in active voice is to possess a specific meaning.
It's also to intend to do something.

I mean that I'm not coming to your party. I meant that I wouldn't be able to attend.
When I say X, I mean Y. When I said X, I meant Y.

I mean to win this election. (I intend to do it.)
I meant to press the "stop" button, but I pressed the "start" button by mistake. .

In the passive voice, the implied actor is often fate.

She was meant to play the piano.
(She was born to play the piano. Fate intended her to play the piano.)

It can describe a plan.
The building was meant to withstand a 7.5 earthquake.

Anonymouswhat's the difference between " I was meant" and "I'm meant".

This probably sounds a little bit crazy. These are passive voice, and the difference between them relates to the imaginary actor.
Somebody or something made a plan for you. That plan is still in effect.

I was meant to do great things. Somebody planned in the past that I would do great things.

I am meant to do great things. That plan is still in effect.

Anonymous · Answer

ohh Thanks a lot! As far as i understand it has the same meaning with a verb as "be about to?" Right?

Avangi · Answer

Anonymousit has the same meaning with a verb as "be about to?" Right?

Not exactly.

"To be about to do something" often describes the time factor. The event is imminent.
The school bell is about to ring. (It's going to happen very soon.)

But "about" does have a less common usage which relates to our discussion:
I thought you were going to arrest me and put me in jail. (reply) No, that's not what I'm about.

The important thing about the passive usage "to be meant" is that it refers to some kind of a plan, real or imaginary.

According to the plan, I was meant (supposed) to carry the ball to the right. But I saw that it would be impossible, so I carried it to the left. .

These past tense uses often describe a plan which did not work.

The paratroopers were meant to capture the bridge and hold it until their tanks arrived in two days. But the tanks never showed up. .

Not always. The President's new mortgage plan is meant to keep people from losing their houses.

But when we're talking about an imaginary plan (fate/destiny) we can use either present tense or past tense:
I guess I'm meant to live my life as a complete failure. (This is my fate.)

I guess I was meant to live my life as a complete failure. (This is what the fates decided for me.)

Anonymous · Answer

I meant I was

I meant vs. I was meant and I'm meant

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