an intent to communicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intent to communicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the purpose or motivation behind a message or action aimed at conveying information or feelings. Example: "The artist's work reflects an intent to communicate complex emotions through visual imagery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To convict under this law without requiring at least an intent to communicate with an enemy would have severely chilling implications for free speech, particularly in the age of the Internet.

The New York Times

Just as Oedipa Maas discovered in Pynchon's The Crying Lot of 49, you have to rise above the maze to finally see the "hieroglyphic sense of concealed meaning, of an intent to communicate".

Vice

"I wanted to make a piece that possessed, in the words of Thomas Pynchon, 'a hieroglyphic sense of concealed meaning, of an intent to communicate.' My hope is that when you look at the Semaphore, even if you have no idea what it is, that you wonder: is that thing trying to tell me something?

Huffington Post

Recently, the analysis of the kinematics of a gesture as simple as reaching towards an object and grasping it has shown differences in whether the gesture was associated with an intent to communicate or not [40].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is no sarcasm or scandalising, rather a considered intent to communicate information and a wish to understand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The direction of gaze is particularly relevant in social interactions, with mutual or direct gaze forming a key component, signaling interest in the recipient, the intent to communicate, and potential approach, whereas averted gaze generally signals a lack of interest and avoidance.

Cerebral Cortex

Michelle is not responding to Mr. Malakov's intent to communicate.

The New Yorker

Research with typical individuals has shown that the arMFC is involved in reading another's intent to communicate with the observer (Amodio and Frith 2006).

Cerebral Cortex

Dr. Lord spoke of the main criteria defining a suicide by cop: communicating an intent to commit suicide, planning to contact the police or draw them near, and showing them an intent to die.

The New York Times

Fortunately, Mr. Barr promised during his confirmation hearings "to provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law". While carefully hedged, Mr. Barr's statement communicated an intent to respect the public's unusually strong interest in knowing the what and why of the Mueller investigation's findings.

The Washington Post

One hundred and eight subjects (57%) had directly or indirectly communicated an intent to die before their death and 58 (30%) had left a suicide note.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an intent to communicate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being communicated and to whom. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an intent to communicate" in excessively abstract or vague contexts. Always strive to provide specific examples or details to illustrate the intent being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intent to communicate" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically sound and serves to identify the purpose or goal behind an act of communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intent to communicate" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the purpose or motivation behind an act of communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it's frequently encountered in news media, scientific discourse, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, precision is key; clearly defining what is being communicated enhances clarity and impact. Though "an intent to communicate" is relatively infrequent, its meaning is consistently clear. Remember to consider synonyms like "a communicative intention", "a purpose to convey", and "an aim to express" for more precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a communicative intention

Emphasizes the specific intention behind the act of communicating.

a purpose to convey

Highlights the reason for transmitting information or a message.

an aim to express

Focuses on the goal of making something known through communication.

a desire to impart

Stresses the longing or wish to share or communicate something.

a communicative objective

Highlights the goal or target of the communicative act.

a will to articulate

Emphasizes the determination to express something clearly and effectively.

an objective to inform

Focuses on the intention to provide knowledge or information.

a motivation to disclose

Highlights the underlying reason for revealing or communicating something.

a design to reveal

Implies a planned or deliberate intention to make something known.

an aspiration to share

Emphasizes the hope or ambition to communicate something with others.

FAQs

How can I use "an intent to communicate" in a sentence?

You can use "an intent to communicate" to describe the purpose behind a message or action. For example, "The artist's work reflects an intent to communicate complex emotions".

What are some alternatives to "an intent to communicate"?

Alternatives include "a communicative intention", "a purpose to convey", or "an aim to express" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an intent to communicate" formal or informal?

"An intent to communicate" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in various contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from synonyms that provide even greater precision.

What is the difference between "an intent to communicate" and "an ability to communicate"?

"An intent to communicate" refers to the purpose or motivation behind conveying a message, while "an ability to communicate" describes the skill or capacity to effectively share information. One focuses on the why, the other focuses on the how.