I was intending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was intending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past plan that you had in place before something else happened. For example, "I was intending to go to the beach tomorrow, but it looks like the weather is going to be bad, so I'm going to have to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

In college, I was intending to be a math teacher.

The New York Times

"But they started to pick up on what I was intending".

The New York Times - Arts

I was intending to eat it off an Indian girl in Durban".

The New York Times

But yes, it's true that I was intending to write something of a sequel to "Paranoia".

The New Yorker

In contrast, I was intending primarily to describe actual cases of silencing.

The New York Times

"I was intending to go out but suddenly we heard a heavy explosion followed by gunfire..

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"There were moments when, obviously, I was intended to do better.

The New York Times

I was intended to carry between 23 and 30 aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and torpedo-bombers.

Wikipedia

But she was also desperate to "meet my maker as I was intended".

Vice

"I had mentors there, too, who (thankfully) shaped me and molded me into the person I was intended to be".

Huffington Post

I believe now that I was intended to learn some big lessons from this disease, and I did.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was intending" to clearly indicate a past plan or intention, especially when explaining why something did or didn't happen as expected.

Common error

Avoid using "I was intending" when you actually completed the action. Reserve it for situations where the intention was not fully realized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was intending" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention or plan. It's used to describe something the speaker wanted or planned to do at some point in the past, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. The phrase often sets the stage for explaining why the intention was or was not carried out.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was intending" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a past intention or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media sources and maintains a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a past plan, especially when explaining why the intended action was not fully realized. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "my intention was to". Its frequent usage and correct grammatical structure make it a useful addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My intention was to

More formal and emphasizes the intention itself.

I had every intention of

Emphasizes the strength of the past intention.

I had planned to

Focuses on the planning aspect, implying a more concrete preparation.

I meant to

Emphasizes the intention or purpose behind an action.

I was going to

A more informal way of expressing a past intention.

I had in mind to

Highlights the mental consideration of the intention.

It was my aim to

Highlights the goal or objective that was intended.

I purposed to

A more formal and less common way to express intention.

I contemplated

Suggests a period of thought or consideration before intending.

I envisioned

Implies a detailed mental image of the intended action.

FAQs

How can I use "I was intending" in a sentence?

Use "I was intending" to express a past plan or intention that may or may not have been fulfilled. For example, "I was intending to go to the party, but I got sick".

What's a more formal alternative to "I was intending"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "my intention was to" or "it was my aim to".

What can I say instead of "I was intending" in a casual conversation?

In a casual setting, you could say "I was going to" or "I meant to".

Is "I was intending" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was intending" is grammatically correct. It's the past continuous form of the verb "intend", used to describe a past intention.