I had every intention of

USAGE SUMMARY

"I had every intention of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a strong desire and plan to do something, but it did not happen. For example: "I had every intention of attending the conference, but I got sick and had to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"Game 5, I had every intention of being there," Victorino said.

The New York Times - Sports

I had every intention of shaking Evra's hand in the team line-up before the match.

The Guardian - Sport

But through all of that, I had every intention of staying.

The New York Times - Sports

I see signs reminding me that I can ask for a test drive, which I had every intention of doing.

The Washington Post

Two more came from the eddy that day, including a fat roe that I had every intention of keeping.

The New York Times - Sports

And I had every intention of filling this blog with posts about interesting things I'd seen and heard — a kind of travelogue of legal informatics.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

I have every intention of doing so.

The New York Times

"I have every intention of taking full advantage of it".

The New York Times

He said on Tuesday: "I love the show; I have every intention of it working out.

The New York Times - Arts

I believe we can make a difference, and I have every intention of doing just that.

The Guardian - Music

I have every intention of going back, if I'm ever fortunate enough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had every intention of" to clearly communicate a prior plan or strong desire that was ultimately not fulfilled. This can add context and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I had every intention of" when the intended action was actually completed. This phrase implies that the intention was not realized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had every intention of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement about a prior plan or desire that was not ultimately carried out. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I had every intention of" is a versatile phrase used to express a prior, unfulfilled plan or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to remember its specific meaning, as misusing it can lead to confusion. Consider using alternative phrases like "I meant to" or "I planned to" for conciseness or emphasis. It should not be used when the intended action was completed. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "I had every intention of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I fully intended to

Emphasizes the completeness of the intention.

It was my intention to

A slightly more formal way of expressing the intention.

I meant to

A more concise way of expressing the intention.

My aim was to

Focuses on the goal or objective of the intention.

I had it in mind to

Highlights the thought process behind the intention.

I was of a mind to

Similar to "I had it in mind to", but slightly more literary.

I planned to

Focuses on the planning aspect of the intention.

I set out to

Emphasizes the initial action taken towards fulfilling the intention.

I purposed to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "I intended to".

I was going to

Indicates a future action that was expected.

FAQs

How can I use "I had every intention of" in a sentence?

Use "I had every intention of" to express a plan or desire you held but didn't fulfill. For example, "I had every intention of finishing the project, but I ran out of time".

What's a more concise alternative to "I had every intention of"?

Alternatives include "I meant to", "I planned to", or "I was going to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "I had every intention of" differ from "I intend to"?

"I had every intention of" refers to a past intention that wasn't realized, while "I intend to" expresses a current intention for the future.

Is it correct to say "I have every intention of" instead of "I had every intention of"?

Yes, "I have every intention of" is correct when expressing a current intention. However, it has a different meaning than "I had every intention of", which refers to a past, unfulfilled intention.