basic intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental purpose or objective behind an action or statement. Example: "The basic intent of the policy is to promote sustainability and reduce waste in our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Wilson refused to accept the Lodge reservations, feeling that they would destroy the basic intent of the League.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The basic intent is for art to be part of the life and work of the campus," Ms. Farver said.

The New York Times - Arts

The basic intent was to start this innovative program in India and ultimately make it self-sufficient.

Stanford University

Angiolini's reforms were similar in basic intent to those of Christoph Willibald Gluck and Franz Hilverding; they also paralleled those of his rival, the choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The probability of failure for two serviceability limit states (overall and inter-story drifts) are very similar, indicating that the procedure will satisfy the basic intent of PBSD.

Engineering Structures

But when such changes alter the basic intent of a play, such as turning a tragedy into a comedy, it means the adapter/director does not trust the original material or does not believe the audience can understand it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The report warned, "No law will be effective if the agency responsible for its enforcement interprets that law contrary to its basic purpose and intent, administratively creates gaping loopholes and tolerates widespread evasion of the law".

The New York Times

So writing, in games, is about creating mood and establishing a basic sense of intent.

The New Yorker

"This shows a basic seriousness of intent on Rob's part".

The New York Times

We were not invited back, but perhaps our agreement on basic courtesy and intent was more valuable than winning more air time for entertainment.

The New York Times

10 This concept of practical possibility of action is informed further by the philosophy of action-theory, a disciplinary field which assesses ideas such as human action, causality, intent, basic action, and action-chains.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basic intent", ensure the context clearly defines what is fundamental. If the intent is multifaceted, consider specifying the core aspect for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "basic intent" when a more precise term can better convey the specific objective. Overusing the phrase can lead to vagueness in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic intent" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies or describes the fundamental purpose or objective behind an action, plan, or idea. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, it frequently clarifies the core motivation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

26%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic intent" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the fundamental purpose or objective. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it conveys clarity and focus by highlighting the essential aim. For alternative phrasing, consider "core intention", "primary objective", or "fundamental aim", and ensure clarity when specifying the intent in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic purpose

Synonymous, simply uses a different word order.

core intention

Emphasizes the central and most important intention.

primary objective

Focuses on the main goal or aim.

fundamental aim

Highlights the essential purpose or goal.

underlying purpose

Stresses the hidden or less obvious reason.

main objective

Focuses on the most important aim to be achieved.

essential goal

Highlights the crucial and necessary goal.

principal aim

Indicates the most important aim or purpose.

original purpose

Refers to the initial reason or intention.

initial goal

Highlights the starting point of an objective.

FAQs

How can I use "basic intent" in a sentence?

You can use "basic intent" to describe the primary purpose or goal behind an action, policy, or plan. For instance, "The "basic intent" of the new regulations is to improve safety standards."

What is a good alternative to "basic intent"?

Alternatives to "basic intent" include "core intention", "primary objective", or "fundamental aim". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "basic intent" or "original intent"?

"Basic intent" refers to the fundamental purpose, while "original intent" refers to the initial purpose at the time of creation. Use "original intent" when discussing the initial aim behind something, such as a law or document.

What's the difference between "basic intent" and "main goal"?

"Basic intent" refers to the underlying purpose or motivation, while "main goal" is a specific objective to be achieved. While related, "basic intent" is broader and more foundational than a specific goal.