I had planned to write

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had planned to write" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing intentions or arrangements that were made in the past but may not have been fulfilled. Example: "I had planned to write a letter to my friend, but I got too busy with work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It seemed to be the cover of the book I had planned to write.

The Guardian - Books

I had planned to write this column on a four-hour train journey from London to Glasgow, like one of those relaxed professionals you see in adverts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even before learning the sad news of Patricia Neal's death on Sunday, at the age of eighty-four, I had planned to write today about one of the movies on which her well-deserved acclaim rides, "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

The New Yorker

(In fact, I had planned to write blog post titled something cheesy like "In praise of bonding"… but I think I'll just say it here.

TechCrunch

I had planned to write about inflation making a comeback, but as I called around to chat with some of the gurus who like to talk monetary policy and bash the Fed a little bit, I heard something that made me sit up and take notice a prominent and well-respected bearish adviser told me he thinks that the October low was "the low" for this bear market.

Forbes

I had planned to write all the details from that Saturday.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Malcolm X had said he had planned to write a book based on his journals.

The New York Times

He had planned to write an account of his work, describing the incremental steps that led to his inspired solution.

The New York Times

Ms. Chessman, who has a Ph.D. in women's studies, had planned to write a scholarly work on Mary Cassatt.

The New York Times - Books

He and Mr. Young had planned to write a book on the loft scene, but Smith died in 1978.

The New York Times

He had planned to write his life stor 20 years ago, but was caught in the revolution.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had planned to write" to clearly indicate a prior intention or arrangement, especially when explaining why the writing didn't happen or took a different form. This phrase is effective for setting up a narrative or explaining a change in plans.

Common error

Avoid using "I had planned to write" when you merely hoped to write something. "Planned" implies a concrete arrangement or schedule, while "hoped" suggests a wish or desire. For example, don't say, "I had planned to write a novel this year", if you didn't actually schedule time or make specific preparations for it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had planned to write" serves as a statement of prior intention, indicating a plan that existed in the past regarding writing something. This is based on Ludwig AI analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I had planned to write" is a commonly used phrase to express a past intention, often to explain why something was or wasn't written. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts, with a slightly formal tone. Be mindful of the difference between "planned" and "hoped", ensuring that the phrase accurately reflects a prior arrangement rather than a mere desire. Related phrases, such as "I intended to write" or "I meant to write", offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intended to write

Focuses on the intention rather than the specific planning.

I meant to write

Emphasizes the speaker's intention and responsibility to write.

I was going to write

Indicates a less formal expression of a future intention in the past.

I had intended to write

Similar to "I intended to write" but with added emphasis on the past.

My plan was to write

Shifts the focus to the plan itself rather than the person's intention.

I scheduled to write

Emphasizes the act of scheduling the writing, implying a structured plan.

I was planning on writing

Less formal than "I had planned to write", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the plan.

I purposed to write

A more formal and less common way of expressing an intention to write.

I had it in mind to write

Focuses on the mental conception of writing something.

I envisioned writing

Emphasizes the visualization or mental image of the writing process.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "I had planned to write"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "I intended to write" or "my intention was to write". These options provide a similar meaning with a slightly elevated level of formality.

How can I use "I had planned to write" in a sentence?

You can use "I had planned to write" to explain a past intention that may or may not have been fulfilled. For example, "I had planned to write a report on the project, but I ran out of time".

What's the difference between "I had planned to write" and "I was going to write"?

"I had planned to write" suggests a more concrete plan or arrangement than "I was going to write". The latter is often a less formal expression of future intention in the past.

What can I say instead of "I had planned to write" if I want to emphasize the reason I didn't write?

You could say "I meant to write, but..." or "I intended to write, but..." followed by the reason. Alternatively, you could use "I was going to write, but..." for a less formal tone.