I planned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I planned to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an intention or a decision made in the past regarding future actions. Example: "I planned to visit my grandmother this weekend, but I had to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I planned to hire a nanny.

The New York Times

I planned to do the same.

The New York Times

I planned to add mine.

The New York Times

I planned to push midway.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, I planned to help out.

The New York Times - Magazine

So I planned to ignore Halloween.

The New York Times - Tech

I planned to join the SAS reserves.

The Guardian - Books

Q: I planned to rebuild our kitchen over Easter.

Independent

"I planned to die in that house," he said.

The New York Times

I planned to sell these bad boys through Christie's.

The New York Times

I planned to make a warm artichoke-and-chicory salad.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I planned to" when describing a specific course of action you intended to take in the past. This clearly communicates your intentions at a particular time.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when describing why the plan didn't happen. If you say "I planned to go, but I am sick", keep the second part of the sentence in the past tense: "I planned to go, but I was sick."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I planned to" functions as a statement of past intention. Ludwig provides examples that show its use in expressing prior decisions about future actions, such as "I planned to hire a nanny" or "I planned to visit Chen".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I planned to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express intentions or decisions made in the past regarding future actions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "I intended to" or "I was going to" exist, "I planned to" specifically emphasizes the planning stage. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and clarify the circumstances surrounding the planned action. By considering these points, you can effectively communicate your past intentions and their outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intended to

Emphasizes intention rather than a concrete plan.

I had planned on

Similar meaning, but includes the preposition "on" after "planned".

I was going to

Expresses a future action in the past, similar to an intention.

I meant to

Implies a weaker level of planning or a missed intention.

I had every intention of

Highlights a strong sense of purpose.

I purposed to

A more formal and less common way of saying 'I intended to'.

I set out to

Focuses on the beginning of an action, implying a determined start.

I aimed to

Expresses a goal or objective, focusing on aspiration.

I envisioned

Emphasizes the mental picture of the action more than the planning.

I foresaw

Highlights anticipation or prediction of an action.

FAQs

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

Use "I planned to" to express an intention or decision made in the past about a future action. For example, "I planned to visit my family, but something came up".

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

Alternatives like "I intended to" or "I had every intention of" are more formal options.

Is there a subtle difference between "I planned to" and "I was going to"?

Yes, "I planned to" often implies a more concrete and deliberate decision than "I was going to", which can sometimes suggest a less firm intention.

How does "I planned to" differ from "I meant to"?

"I planned to" emphasizes the planning stage, whereas "I meant to" focuses on the intention, often implying that the action was not carried out due to oversight or forgetfulness.