a little intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of purpose or focus in a particular context. Example: "If you put a little intention into your daily tasks, you might find more satisfaction in your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A little intention goes along way in improving the efficiency of your team and the impact your business can have.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is language mainly and centrally a matter of deduction, of coding and decoding according to the conventions of meaning, with a little intention-recognition around the near and far edges to take care of ambiguity and implicature?

SEP

I graduated from the University of Virginia with a doctorate in biophysics but with little intention of seeking a postdoctoral position and with a modest concept of what other career options were available to me.

Science Magazine

I'm outta here, heading to the Far East for a few weeks with little intention to look back westward.

The Washington Post

As a swimmer, Wendy Morton had little intention of signing up her daughter Zakayah for anything other than swimming.

Los Angeles Times

The president was arrested on 3 July, but for months Sisi – keen to avoid accusations of a coup – claimed he had little intention of succeeding his former boss.

The Guardian

A cynical interpretation would be that Scolari had little intention of including the player on a long-term basis, and his main concern was to ensure the Spaniards could not have him.

BBC

The government has yet to publish the responses to yesterday's consultation, but it's clear the it has little intention of overturning a decision it had already made without asking disabled people about its devastating impact.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most LAs enter the LA program strongly identifying with science, math, or engineering disciplines and with little intention of pursuing a future career in education.

International Journal of STEM Education

A week after it narrowly escaped an American military strike, Iraq signaled yesterday in a series of defiant statements that it has little intention of cooperating with international arms inspectors and is still on a collision course with the United States.

The New York Times

He has shown little intention to honour an agreement he signed in Lusaka in June 1999, designed to end the war and bring free elections.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little intention" when you want to emphasize that the degree of purpose or focus is small but still present and impactful. It's often used to highlight that even a minimal effort can lead to positive results.

Common error

Avoid using "a little intention" when the context clearly requires a stronger commitment or a more significant effort. Using it inappropriately can minimize the perceived importance of the action or goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little intention" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object, indicating a minimal amount of purpose or intent. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is often used to emphasize that even small amounts of focus can lead to meaningful results.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little intention" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to convey the idea that even a small amount of focus or purpose can be effective. As Ludwig AI analysis shows, it's primarily used in news, media, and scientific contexts with a neutral register. Alternatives include "slight intention" and "a touch of intention". Remember to use this phrase when emphasizing the impact of minimal effort and avoid it when a stronger commitment is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight intention

Replaces "little" with "slight", indicating a minimal amount of intention.

a small amount of intention

Replaces "little" with the more explicit "small amount", emphasizing the quantity.

a touch of intention

Uses "touch" to convey a small amount, suggesting a subtle intention.

a hint of intention

Emphasizes the subtle and perhaps not fully formed nature of the intention.

some degree of intention

More formal, indicating a certain level of intention without specifying the amount.

a modicum of intention

Uses "modicum" to suggest a small or moderate amount of intention.

a shade of intention

Implies a very slight or subtle intention.

a glimmer of intention

Suggests a faint or initial intention.

a whisper of intention

Emphasizes the quiet or barely noticeable nature of the intention.

a trace of intention

Highlights the minimal and almost imperceptible presence of intention.

FAQs

How can I use "a little intention" in a sentence?

You can use "a little intention" to describe a situation where a small amount of focus or purpose makes a noticeable difference. For example, "With "a little intention", you can significantly improve your daily productivity".

What's a good alternative to "a little intention"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a little intention" include "slight intention", "a touch of intention", or "a hint of intention". These alternatives emphasize the subtlety of the purpose.

Is it better to say "a little intention" or "some intention"?

Both "a little intention" and "some intention" are grammatically correct. "A little intention" emphasizes the small quantity, while "some intention" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a little intention" and "a lot of intention"?

"A little intention" indicates a small degree of purpose, suggesting a minimal but present effort. In contrast, "a lot of intention" implies a strong and significant commitment or focus, suggesting substantial effort and determination.