MEANS / MODES

Share on Facebook

Coachpotato

#140992 Fri, 23 Sep 05 01:58 PM

I've always said 'means of transport' but I've just heard somebody say 'modes of transport', is that correct?

Thanks for your answers

Coachpotato

Joined on Wed, Jul 20 2005

Spain

Full Member (228)

Mister Micawber

#141202 Sat, 24 Sep 05 01:15 AM

Feel free to vary your conversation with modes of transport, CP. Though it may not be the highest collocation (half a million vs two million for means, on Google), it is fine.

Be careful in math, however, when the mean is the average and the mode is the most frequent value of a set of numbers.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,306)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Conversations, Numbers

LeicesterLad

#141648 Sun, 25 Sep 05 05:56 PM

I would say the 2 phrases are virtually interchangeable, but have subtley different meanings.

"Means of transport" would be used when the actual "method" (eg car, train etc) is not of interest, simply the fact that transport is available. eg "Do you have a means of transport to get home?" Answer: "Yes"

Mode of transport implies you wish to know the nature of the transport (eg plane, train etc).

I've not explained that very well...

LeicesterLad

Joined on Fri, Sep 16 2005

N E England (Orig from Leicester)

Junior Member (81)

Coachpotato

#141842 Mon, 26 Sep 05 10:04 AM

¨Thanks for your answers.

Coachpotato