I intended for

USAGE SUMMARY

"I intended for" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that you meant something to happen or intended something to take place. For example: "I intended for him to arrive before breakfast, but he showed up late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In the same way, the production of sector i intended for the intermediate consumption of the sector J, x ij, corresponds to the quantity of water w ij (m3) consumed by sector i.

Journal of Economic Structures

Even though they've known all their lives that their daddy's in the Special Forces, I'm thinking, This is not what I intended for my kids.

The New Yorker

I intended for my brother Dale, who joined me in the poplar, to take a photograph of me in the treetop, which I would then show to the pine tree back home to remind it who is boss.

The New York Times - Travel

In this case, the replacement suggested was "tucking", to complete the sequence "how tucking much .Johnson omits spelling the word out to make a point: the iPhone knew full well what I intended, for the same reason the reader does.

The Economist

It was called Liquid Music festival and I intended for the musicians to rise up (in live virtual reality) from the lake in front of the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ while playing the ancient Canto de la Sibilla.

The Guardian - Music

I intended for it to be funded by reader donations.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The first is incompressible with the model placed in the wind tunnel, as requested for the 2010 workshop on Benchmark problems for Airframe Noise Computations (BANC-I), intended for force and surface-pressure studies.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

"It's in my collection now, and that is where I intend for it to stay," he said.

The New York Times

"This pledge is one that I made at the beginning of this crisis, and I intend for America to keep our pledge.

The New York Times

When I hand her a snack and look into her face, seeking the stories of her day, I intend for her to feel how much she matters.

The New York Times

"I intend for the licence renewals to deliver a good deal for viewers and the UK economy, and also create certainty in the market during these difficult economic times.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I intended for" when you want to clearly state your original aim or objective, especially when the actual outcome differed from your intention.

Common error

Avoid using "I intend for" when describing past actions. "I intend for" is better suited for expressing current or future intentions, while "I intended for" accurately reflects a past plan or goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I intended for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically expressing a past intention or purpose. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It sets the stage for explaining what someone aimed to achieve, often contrasting with the actual outcome. It denotes an original plan or desired result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I intended for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a past intention or desired outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources, but also appears in Science and Wiki contexts. While uncommon, it's a useful way to clarify your original aim, especially when the result differed from your expectations. Remember to use it in the past tense and avoid confusing it with "I intend for", which denotes a current or future intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I meant for

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing intention.

I planned for

Focuses on the planning aspect, suggesting a more concrete arrangement.

I designed for

Highlights the design or creation aspect with a specific purpose in mind.

It was my intention for

A more formal way of stating one's intention.

I purposed for

Emphasizes the purpose or goal behind an action.

I envisioned for

Stresses the mental image or anticipation of a desired outcome.

I aimed for

Indicates a specific target or objective.

My goal was for

Focuses specifically on the desired outcome or achievement.

I had in mind for

Focuses on the initial idea or concept.

I set out for

Emphasizes the beginning of an action towards a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "I intended for" in a sentence?

Use "I intended for" to describe a past aim or purpose, as in, "I intended for the meeting to start on time, but there were unforeseen delays".

What's a good alternative to "I intended for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I planned for", "I meant for", or "my intention was for".

Is it correct to say "I intend for" when referring to a past event?

No, "I intend for" is present tense. Use "I intended for" when discussing a past intention or goal.

What is the difference between "I intended for" and "I hoped for"?

"I intended for" suggests a plan or design, while "I hoped for" expresses a desire or wish without necessarily having a concrete plan.