I plan that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I plan that" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It is typically used when expressing intentions or future actions, but it requires a more complete structure to be clear. Example: "I plan that we will meet next week to discuss the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

How could I plan that?! He's got good breath for someone who has all fake teeth.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

So as I planned that first Irish trip I wondered how comfortable I would be.

The New York Times - Travel

Someone asked me if I planned that whole thing on TV.

Vice

I didn't plan that thing.

Huffington Post

When putting my schedule together for my three months in Birmingham, I planned that I would paint over a big billboard in the city.

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't know if I planned that, but it just coincided that way, I think.

Huffington Post

(Spoiler alert: I plan to discuss that twist below).

The New Yorker

I plan on getting that down this week in practice.

The New York Times - Sports

I plan to do that".

Los Angeles Times

I plan to test that assertion.

Huffington Post

I plan to look into that too.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing your intentions, use clearer and more common alternatives such as "I intend to", "I am planning to", or "I expect to" instead of the less conventional phrase "I plan that".

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary words when expressing intentions. Directly state your plan using "I plan to" followed by the action, instead of creating complex sentences with "I plan that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I plan that" functions as a declarative statement introducing an intention. However, as Ludwig notes, this phrasing is not standard and sounds awkward. More conventional expressions like "I plan to" are typically preferred.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I plan that" is technically understandable, it is not considered standard English and can sound awkward. Ludwig AI highlights that clearer and more direct alternatives, such as "I intend to" or "I am planning to", are generally preferred. Usage analysis indicates that the phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts, but is less common in more formal writing. Given its grammatical status and the availability of better alternatives, it's advisable to use "I plan that" with caution, opting for more conventional expressions for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intend to

Emphasizes a firm decision and purpose to perform an action; it's a more direct and grammatically sound alternative.

I am planning to

Highlights the ongoing process of arranging or preparing for something.

I expect to

Expresses an anticipation of a future event or action, often based on reasonable grounds.

I aim to

Suggests a goal or objective that one is striving to achieve.

I have a plan to

Focuses on the existence of a strategy or course of action that has been developed.

My plan is to

States the established course of action that intends to be followed.

I'm going to

An informal way of expressing future intention, indicating what someone is about to do.

I'm looking to

Conveys a desire or expectation to do something, often in a slightly more proactive or seeking way.

I anticipate

Indicates expecting something to happen, often in a formal context.

I foresee

Suggests predicting or expecting something to happen in the future, often based on insight or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "I plan that" correctly?

While "I plan that" isn't standard, it can be used when followed by a complete clause explaining what you intend to do. However, alternatives like "I intend to" or "I am planning to" are generally clearer and more common.

What's a more natural way to say "I plan that"?

Instead of "I plan that", use more common phrases such as "I plan to", "I intend to", or "I expect to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I plan that" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "I plan that" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use constructions like "I plan to" or "I am planning to" for clearer communication.

What's the difference between "I plan that" and "I plan to"?

"I plan to" is a more direct and widely accepted way to express an intention or future action. "I plan that" is less common and may require a more complex sentence structure to sound correct, but generally sounds awkward. Opt for "I plan to" for simplicity and clarity.