首先强调这是个马上就要考的名词：
1. 单复数同形(永远有词尾-s)。若用作主语，其谓语的数需根据句意来确定。
指做某事或为达到某种目的而采用的方法或手段。比较：
All possible means have been tried. 所有可能的办法都已经试过了。
Every possible means has been tried. 每种可能的办法都已经试过了。
All possible means and ways have been tried.
方法都用绝了。
Television is an effective means of communication.
电视是一种有效的通信手段。
This is their only means of communication.
这是他们唯一的交流方式。
Physical punishment should not be used as a means of controlling children.
体罚不应该作为约束儿童的手段。
若句意不能明确地表明主语的单复数，其谓语则用单数或复数均可：
Is [Are] there any other means of doing it? 做这事还有其他的什么办法吗?
2. 表示以某种方式、方法或手段，用介词by：
Only by this means can you do it well. 只有通过这种办法你才能做好此事。
有时用 by means of，意为：用……，依靠……：
Thoughts are expressed by means of words. 思想靠语言来表达。
3. 表示做某事的方法或手段，多接“of＋(动)名词”：
But they had no means of cooking them. 但是他们没有办法来把它们煮熟。
Taking a plane is the quickest means of getting there. 去那儿最快的办法是坐飞机。
训练题：
Every possible means ________ been tried，and we find only ________ this means can we do it well.
A. have，in B. have，by C. has，in D. has，by
此题应选 D。其余几项均容易被误选。这里主要涉及名词means(方式，方法，手段)的用法与搭配。
4.表示“财富，钱财”：
People should pay according to their means.
人们应该按照各自的负担能力来消费。
He doesn't have the means to support a wife and child.
他无钱养活妻小。
Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
私立学校的费用是大多数人无力支付的。
5.动词mean的三单：
She emphasized that their plan would mean sacrifices and hard work.
她强调说他们的计划将意味着牺牲和辛勤工作。
Her children mean the world to her.
她的孩子就是她的一切。
This measure inevitably means higher taxes in the long run.
从长远来看这项举措的结果就是要多纳税。
Your friendship means a great deal to me.
你的友谊对我来说是很珍贵的。
$ 20 means a lot when you live on$ 100 a week.
当你每周就靠100元维持生活时，20元可是个大数目
Her promotion means she's$ 100 a week better off.
她的晋升意味着她每星期多挣100元。