I intended to write

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I intended to write" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is commonly used to convey the speaker's intention or plan to write something. Example: "I intended to write a letter to my grandmother, but I got caught up with other tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I intended to write this column in my pyjamas.

Independent

I intended to write a book to which people my age would respond.

The New Yorker

I intended to write a straight biographical introduction to the photographs.

The New Yorker

When it became clear that I intended to write about him, Mr. Smith sent a series of blistering e-mails threatening me with a lawsuit.

The New York Times

She explains her project in the opening essay: "I could lie to you and say that I intended to write something totalizing, something grand.

The New Yorker

I wrote a letter to him and said that I intended to write something about Bill Bradley and just send it out as a freelance thing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Winston Churchill famously said that "history will be kind to me for I intend to write it".

Independent

The sum of all this is the way I cook, and what I intend to write about here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is an important title because of its big investments in health care and education reform, which I intend to write about later.

The New Yorker

But now that I've faced it, I intend to write fully not just about immigration, but also about the larger theme of the evolving American identity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this," he tells Kate Winslet just before he freezes to death in the North Atlantic.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I intended to write" to clearly state a past intention, particularly when explaining why something was not written. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts to explain unrealized plans.

Common error

Avoid using "I intended to write" when you actually did write something. Instead, use past tense verbs like "I wrote" or "I have written" to describe completed actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I intended to write" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a past intention. It's used to convey what the speaker planned to do in terms of writing, often implying that the action was not ultimately completed. Ludwig confirms the phrase is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I intended to write" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a past intention to create written content. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. It is particularly common in News & Media and Academia, serving to explain unrealized writing plans. While semantically similar phrases like "I planned to write" or "I meant to write" exist, "I intended to write" maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing it with completed writing actions. The phrase serves as a clear indicator of unrealized intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I planned to write

Replaces "intended" with "planned", suggesting a more concrete arrangement or schedule.

My intention was to write

Formal restatement emphasizing the purpose of writing.

I meant to write

Emphasizes the speaker's intention or aim, perhaps with a hint of regret if the action wasn't completed.

I had every intention of writing

Emphasizes the strength of the initial intent, often implying a subsequent failure to act.

I was going to write

Indicates a prior decision or inclination to write, without necessarily implying a firm plan.

It was my aim to write

Highlights the goal or objective the speaker had in mind.

I had it in mind to write

Highlights the speaker's thought process and mental consideration of writing.

I set out to write

Implies an active initiation of the writing process, though not necessarily completion.

I purposed to write

Formal and somewhat archaic alternative suggesting a deliberate and determined intention.

I contemplated writing

Indicates a consideration or thought about writing, without necessarily implying a firm decision.

FAQs

How do you use "I intended to write" in a sentence?

You use "I intended to write" to express a past intention to create something in written form. For example, "I intended to write a thank-you note, but I ran out of time."

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

A more formal alternative is "My intention was to write", which emphasizes the purpose in a more structured manner. You could also say, "It was my aim to write".

What can I say instead of "I intended to write" to show a strong desire?

To show a stronger desire, you can use phrases like "I had every intention of writing" or "I meant to write", which convey a stronger sense of purpose.

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

"I intended to write" suggests a definite plan that may not have been carried out, while "I was going to write" indicates a less firm decision or a future action that was planned but may not have happened. The alternative "I was going to write" conveys a less committed plan.