I have the intention of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have the intention of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a plan or desire to do something in the future. Example: "I have the intention of starting my own business next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I have the intention of doing this and will raise all wages in 2004".

The New York Times

Mr. Lieberman, interviewed on Tuesday on CNN's "Larry King Live," said: "I have the intention of continuing to be a candidate for re-election to the Senate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I had the intention of being the best golf cart driver in the world," Stuetz said in an interview at last month's L.P.G.A. Tour stop in Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

There are a lot of things said about each of the characters that I'd hate the idea of any actual person thinking I had the intention of saying that about them".

The New York Times

I had the intention of sobering up, but it didn't work out like that.

Vice

On the other hand (no pun intended) I had the intention of simply being an "ears on" parent.

Huffington Post

I had the intention of marriage or something like it in the long run, but I was not actively looking for a husband.

Huffington Post

"I had the intention to use Kerley in a number of situations," Ryan said.

The New York Times - Sports

As one Reddit user I stumbled across put it, "Whenever I go to nightclubs, I always have the intention of having sex, and if it doesn't happen, I just feel disappointed".

Vice

"From the few times I've engaged with them," Mr. Chen said, "I know they have the intention of reforming, of slowly initiating the rule of law.

The New York Times

"I pray to get out of here," he said, adding: "I do not have the intention of helping them do their work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, follow the phrase with a clear and direct statement of your intended action or goal.

Common error

Avoid using "I have the intention of" in informal contexts where it may sound unnecessarily stiff. Opt for simpler phrases like "I plan to" or "I'm going to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have the intention of" functions as a declaration of purpose or future action. It introduces what the speaker or writer plans to do, similar to examples presented by Ludwig. The purpose of expressing commitment to a future action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I have the intention of" is a grammatically sound way to express a future plan or purpose. However, as noted by Ludwig, it's essential to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrasing. While versatile, it can sometimes sound overly formal compared to alternatives like "I plan to" or "I intend to". It is commonly used in news, formal business communication, and on wikis. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with your intended tone and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intend to

More concise and direct; slightly less formal.

I plan to

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing a planned action.

I am planning to

Similar to "I plan to" but with a continuous aspect, implying ongoing planning.

It is my intention to

More formal and emphatic; emphasizes the intention itself.

I aim to

Suggests a goal or objective; slightly more ambitious.

I have every intention to

Emphasizes strong determination to follow through with the intention.

My intention is to

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the intention as the subject.

I am looking forward to

Expresses anticipation and positive expectation.

I fully intend to

Highlights the complete commitment to carrying out the intention.

I have it in mind to

Indicates a thought-out plan; slightly more informal.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I have the intention of"?

You can use alternatives like "I intend to", "I plan to", or "my intention is to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have the intention to"?

While understandable, it's more grammatically correct and commonly used to say "I have the intention of" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or an infinitive (to + verb). For example, "I have the intention of starting a business" or "I have the intention to start a business."

How can I make the phrase "I have the intention of" sound less formal?

To make it less formal, you can use phrases like "I plan to", "I'm going to", or "I aim to".

What's the difference between "I intend to" and "I have the intention of"?

"I intend to" is a more direct and concise way of expressing a plan, while "I have the intention of" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the existence of the intention itself. They are often interchangeable, but the latter might be preferred in more formal writing.