What I intended to convey was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "What I intended to convey was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to clarify or explain a message or idea that you previously communicated. Example: "What I intended to convey was that teamwork is essential for our success, not just individual effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What we intended to convey was that self-improvement in terms of personality, appearance, skills, and professionality is crucial".

Independent

"My guess is that what it's intended to convey is that there are more ICBMs coming, more solid-fuel missiles," Lewis said.

The Washington Post

King: That is the idea I intended to convey.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's what I intend to do".

Independent

That is what I intend to do".

BBC

What he tried to convey was "the importance of words".

The New York Times

In fact the research pointed only to a problem that the company was experiencing with non-Microsoft browsers which is what we intended to convey.

The Guardian - Tech

Like a huge chunk of what Trump puts out into the world, these tweets have to be extensively unpacked for anyone to even begin to grasp what they're intended to convey.

Vice

We need to know what thought Swede intended to convey.

SEP

Following Grice's model, understanding what someone means by an utterance is a matter of inferring the speaker's communicative intention: the hearer uses all kinds of information available to get at what the speaker intended to convey.

SEP

Some people will instinctively throw away the food, but chances are that's not what the label is intended to convey.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "What I intended to convey was" to clarify a previous statement that may have been misunderstood or misinterpreted. It helps ensure your audience understands your original meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "What I intended to convey was" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. It can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Opt for synonyms or rephrase your sentences for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "What I intended to convey was" functions as a clarification marker. It is used to re-explain or re-state a previous message, aiming to ensure that the audience understands the speaker's original meaning. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "What I intended to convey was" is a clarification marker used to ensure clear communication, particularly when the initial message might be misunderstood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. While its frequency is relatively rare, its usage spans across news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, remember to prioritize conciseness and avoid overuse, opting for synonyms to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "what I aimed to communicate was" or "I meant to communicate" can offer stylistic variety while preserving clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I aimed to communicate was

Replaces "intended to convey" with "aimed to communicate", focusing on the speaker's goal in sharing information.

I sought to communicate that

Replaces 'intended to convey' with 'sought to communicate', offering a slightly more formal tone.

I meant to communicate

Simplifies the phrase to a more concise statement of intended communication.

My purpose was to communicate

Highlights the speaker's objective in communicating a specific idea.

The message I wanted to get across was

Uses a more direct and informal tone by using "get across" instead of "convey".

My intention was to express that

Focuses on the intention behind the expression, rather than the act of conveying.

I wished to express that

Uses a slightly more formal and reflective tone.

What I was trying to say was

Emphasizes the effort to communicate a particular idea or message.

The idea I wanted to impart was

Uses 'impart' to suggest a deliberate sharing of knowledge or understanding.

The point I was making was

Highlights the main point or argument the speaker was trying to convey.

FAQs

How can I use "What I intended to convey was" in a sentence?

You can use "What I intended to convey was" to clarify a statement you've previously made. For example, "I didn't mean to offend anyone; what I intended to convey was that different perspectives are valuable."

What phrases are similar to "What I intended to convey was"?

Alternatives include "what I meant to express was", "my intention was to express that", or "I meant to communicate", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "What I intended to convey was" or "What I wanted to say was"?

"What I intended to convey was" is more formal and emphasizes the specific message you aimed to communicate. "What I wanted to say was" is more casual and general. Choose based on the context and audience.

When is it appropriate to use "What I intended to convey was"?

It's appropriate when you need to ensure your audience understands the precise meaning you wanted to communicate, especially if there's a risk of misinterpretation or ambiguity.