means是可數(shù)名詞意為“方法”、“手段”、“收入”、“財富”，需要注意的一點是means是單復(fù)同形詞。有by all means（可以；當(dāng)然行；沒問題），by no means（絕不；一點也不）等用法。

means作可數(shù)名詞用法

means of doing sth./of sth.方式；方法；途徑

（1）Television is an effective means of communication.

電視是一種有效的通信手段。

（2）Is there any means of contacting him?

有沒有什么辦法和他取得聯(lián)系？

（3）Have you any means of identification ?

你有沒有任何身份證件？

（4）We needed to get to London but we had no means of transport.

我們需要趕往倫敦，但卻沒有任何交通工具。

means作名詞復(fù)數(shù)講意為“財富”、“錢財”

（1）People should pay according to their means.

人們應(yīng)該按照各自的負(fù)擔(dān)能力來消費。

（2）He doesn't have the means to support a wife and child.

他無錢養(yǎng)活妻小。

（3）Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).

私立學(xué)校的費用是大多數(shù)人無力支付的。

（4）Are the monthly repayments within your means (= can you afford them)?

這樣按月還錢，你能承受得了嗎？

（5）Try to live within your means (= not spend more money than you have).

要盡可能量入為出。

（6）a man of means (= a rich man)

有錢人

常用短語

（1）by all means可以；當(dāng)然行；沒問題

-Do you mind if I have a look? -By all means.

-我看一眼行嗎？-當(dāng)然可以。

（2）by means of sth.借助……手段；依靠……方法

The load was lifted by means of a crane.

重物是用起重機(jī)吊起來的。

（3）by no means | not by any (manner of) means絕不；一點也不

She is by no means an inexperienced teacher.

她絕不是個毫無經(jīng)驗的教師。

（4）a means to an end（本身并不重要或有趣的）達(dá)到目的的手段

He doesn't particularly like the work but he sees it as a means to an end.

他不怎么喜歡這項工作，只是把它看作達(dá)到目的的手段而已。