benevolent intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "benevolent intention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the goodwill or positive motives behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "Her benevolent intention was evident in the way she volunteered her time to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The benevolent intention to spare the nation from grief moves pragmatically liberal journalists at prestigious publications to draw the parameters of political conversation such that Mr Boehner's connections to special interests come up a bit more often than Ms Pelosi's do.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

She had helped to set up the ambush of a convoy carrying a criminal under witness protection, but had done so with the benevolent intention of avenging the mistreatment of Carly Kirk, the missing teenager whose disappearance was one of two main strands of a plot that placed almost every member of a police force under suspicion.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In "The Hospital," a film more dependent creatively on its writer, Paddy Chayefsky, than on its director, Arthur Hiller, there was an overall admission that, despite every benevolent intention, the institution called a hospital had become a place of chaos and inadvertent damage.

The New York Times

His benevolent intention in this instance is to protect boys from cultural stereotypes that he believes would keep them from writing poetry if they were in a co-educational setting.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At best, when that sexism is filtered through more benevolent intentions, we get "the forty hottest women in tech".

The New Yorker

Even if Qaboos is a Britain-friendly, music-loving ruler with benevolent intentions he is none the less a despot.

The Guardian - Opinion

Would-be power players will be sure to keep this dynamic in mind and seek to signal to others benevolent intentions.

The Economist

She is unconvinced that the reforms are a sign of benevolent intentions, or that the government is willing to loosen its grip on the country.

Independent

I have trusted that Zuckerberg and his senior staff have benevolent intentions for the power they are amassing.

TechCrunch

He's always been very careful to suggest that it is a reflection of benevolent intentions.

Huffington Post

So even if such services have benevolent intentions about what they do with audio they record around you, that audio could eventually be of interest to hackers.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "benevolent intention", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the positive and well-meaning nature of the intent to avoid any ambiguity or misinterpretation. For instance, pair it with actions that visibly reflect kindness or goodwill.

Common error

Don't assume that a "benevolent intention" is automatically recognized or appreciated. Even with the best intentions, actions can be misinterpreted or have unintended negative consequences. Always consider the potential impact on others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "benevolent intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "benevolent" modifies the noun "intention". It describes the quality or nature of the intention, indicating that it is well-meaning and kind. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is generally used to describe positive motives behind actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "benevolent intention" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a well-meaning motive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of benevolence and consider potential misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "kind intention" or "altruistic motive" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind intention

Replaces "benevolent" with a simpler, more direct synonym, reducing formality.

altruistic motive

Shifts from "intention" to "motive", highlighting the underlying reason for an action, and replaces "benevolent" with "altruistic".

charitable purpose

Emphasizes the charitable aspect of the intention, suggesting a desire to help others.

well-meaning aim

Replaces both words with near synonyms; this focuses on the positive nature of the aim.

good-hearted motivation

Replaces "benevolent" with a compound adjective and "intention" with "motivation", offering a more descriptive and emotional tone.

compassionate design

Changes the noun to "design", implying a plan with compassionate motivations.

humanitarian goal

Highlights the humanitarian aspect, suggesting a broad, altruistic objective.

philanthropic objective

Implies a large-scale charitable goal, often involving significant resources.

selfless desire

Focuses on the absence of personal gain, emphasizing the altruistic nature of the desire.

magnanimous impulse

Implies a generous and forgiving motivation, suggesting a noble and elevated character.

FAQs

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

You can use "benevolent intention" to describe the positive and well-meaning motivation behind someone's actions, such as, "Her "benevolent intention" was evident in her efforts to help the community."

What phrases can I use instead of "benevolent intention"?

Alternatives include "kind intention", "altruistic motive", or "charitable purpose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "benevolent intention" formal or informal?

"Benevolent intention" is considered relatively formal. Simpler alternatives like "good intention" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Can a "benevolent intention" still lead to negative outcomes?

Yes, even with a "benevolent intention", actions can have unintended negative consequences. It's important to consider the potential impact of your actions, regardless of your motives.