As a means of/to/for

[divineacclivity]

Ron,

1. Could you please explain the difference between the three:
"as a means of"
"as a means for"
"as a means to"

2. Does any one/all of the above have anything in common with "in order to"
e.g. I eat spinach in order to stay healthy.
I eat spinach as a means to staying healthy.
Eating spinach is a means to stay fit.

3. Which one is correct: "as a means to verb" or "as a means to verb+ing"

Thank you very much in advance.

[soumya2022]

Ron,

1. Could you please explain the difference between the three:
"as a means of"
"as a means for"
"as a means to"

2. Does any one/all of the above have anything in common with "in order to"
e.g. I eat spinach in order to stay healthy.
I eat spinach as a means to staying healthy.

3. Which one is correct: "as a means to verb" or "as a means to verb+ing"

Thank you very much in advance.

Hi,

"x as a means of y "----->> x is a type of y
Eg : walking is a means of exercise

"x as a means to y"-->> x is a method to achieve y
eg : some people use walking as a means to stay fit.

This would be helpful. :)

regards
Soumya

[RonPurewal]

Since we're ultimately supposed to be talking about GMAT problems here... what problem/material inspired this question?

Soumya's examples capture a couple of valid uses of these constructions. But this doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would determine the outcome of an official SC problem.

Thanks.

[WinnieZ542]

[redacted]

[RonPurewal]

no OG problems. thanks.