Intending to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Intending to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a purpose or plan to do something in the future. Example: "Intending to improve my skills, I enrolled in a coding bootcamp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Intending to help.

Huffington Post

Intending to make a dollar.

Huffington Post

Intending to do as little harm as possible.

Huffington Post

The average age of those intending to breastfeed was 26.3 compared to 24.9 for those not intending to breastfeed.

BMC Public Health

"I was not intending to be offensive.

Independent

They may not be intending to discriminate.

The Guardian

How sincere is he intending to be?

The Guardian - Books

That's where we're intending to go.

The New York Times

O.K. — not the way we are intending to go.

The New York Times

Nor was he intending to stay very long.

The New York Times

"He was intending to assassinate the speaker," Mr. Helmi said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intending to", ensure that the action following it is logically connected to the subject's purpose. For example, "She is intending to apply for the scholarship" clearly shows her plan.

Common error

Avoid using "intending to" when the planned action is unrealistic or unattainable given the subject's circumstances. For example, saying "He is intending to fly to the moon next week" is inappropriate without further context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intending to" primarily functions as a part of an infinitive phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate purpose or intention. It specifies the aim behind an action or state, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples like "Intending to help" or "Intending to make a dollar".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intending to" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to express purpose or intent. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently found in diverse contexts, including news, scientific publications, and general writing. While alternatives like "planning to" or "aiming to" exist, "intending to" remains a clear and direct way to communicate a deliberate plan or goal. When crafting your content, keep in mind the best practices for using "intending to" and the most common errors to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Having the intention of

A more formal and emphatic version of "intending to", reinforcing the resolve.

Planning to

Focuses on the preparatory stage of a future action rather than the intention itself.

Aiming to

Emphasizes the goal or objective one hopes to achieve.

Hoping to

Indicates a desire or wish for something to happen, with less certainty than "intending to".

Seeking to

Highlights the act of trying to achieve a specific outcome.

Looking to

Suggests an exploration of possibilities before committing to a firm intention.

Trying to

Implies an attempt to accomplish something, potentially facing obstacles.

Desiring to

A more formal way of expressing a strong wish or longing.

Aspiring to

Indicates a high level of ambition and a long-term goal.

With the goal of

Explicitly states a specific purpose or target to be reached.

FAQs

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

"Intending to" is used to express a plan or purpose. For example, "She is "intending to study" abroad next year" indicates her plan to study in a foreign country.

What are some alternatives to "intending to"?

Alternatives include "planning to", "aiming to", or "hoping to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "intending to" and "going to"?

"Intending to" suggests a firm plan or purpose, while "going to" can simply indicate a future action. For instance, "I am "intending to learn French"" implies a committed decision, whereas "I am going to learn French" is a more general statement about a future activity.

Can I use "intending to" in formal writing?

Yes, "intending to" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly and professionally conveys a planned action. However, in some cases, more sophisticated phrasing like "with the aim of" might be preferred for stylistic reasons.