best intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

"best intentions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's attempts to do something good, even though the outcome may be negative. For example: "He had the best intentions, but his plan to help the homeless ended up doing more harm than good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We only had the best intentions".

Independent

STOCKMARKETS always confound one's best intentions.

The Economist

The best intentions sometimes go awry.

The Guardian

I think we had the best intentions.

The Washington Post

Pessimists have nothing but the best intentions.

Harvard Business Review

Despite the best intentions, New Year's resolutions seldom last long.

The New York Times

Even the best intentions can run afoul of the market.

The New York Times

"Brad has the very best intentions," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Some things don't travel - despite everyone's best intentions.

The Guardian

But despite best intentions they do not socialise off screen.

The Guardian

Infelicitous arrangements arise, bodge jobs remain despite the best intentions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "best intentions" to acknowledge positive motivations behind actions, especially when outcomes are unfavorable. This softens criticism and provides a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "best intentions" as a justification for harmful actions. Acknowledging good intentions doesn't negate the need to address negative consequences or learn from mistakes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best intentions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the underlying motives or purposes behind an action, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. As per Ludwig, it indicates an attempt to do something good, even if the result is negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "best intentions" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe actions motivated by positive purposes, regardless of the outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While it's often used to soften criticism, it's crucial to acknowledge that good intentions do not always guarantee positive results. As highlighted in the writing guidance, avoid using "best intentions" as a blanket justification for harmful actions. Alternatives such as "well-intentioned efforts" or "sincere motives" can provide similar nuances. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, followed by Science and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-intentioned efforts

Emphasizes the efforts made with good intentions, regardless of the result.

good faith attempts

Highlights the honesty and sincerity of the attempts made.

noble aspirations

Focuses on the high-minded goals and desires driving the actions.

sincere motives

Underscores the genuineness of the underlying motivations.

altruistic aims

Stresses the selfless and benevolent nature of the objectives.

benevolent purposes

Highlights the kind and charitable objectives.

honorable goals

Emphasizes the respectability and integrity of the goals.

principled objectives

Focuses on the adherence to ethical principles in the objectives.

earnest endeavors

Stresses the seriousness and dedication of the efforts.

laudable ambitions

Highlights the praiseworthy and commendable nature of the ambitions.

FAQs

How can I use "best intentions" in a sentence?

You can use "best intentions" to explain someone's motivations, even when the result was not ideal. For example, "Despite his "best intentions", the project failed".

What's a good alternative to "best intentions"?

Alternatives to "best intentions" include phrases like "well-intentioned efforts", "sincere motives", or "good faith attempts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "best intentions"?

It's appropriate to use "best intentions" when you want to acknowledge that someone had good motives, even if their actions didn't lead to the desired result. It's often used to soften criticism or provide context.

Is it always positive to describe someone's actions as having "best intentions"?

Not always. While it acknowledges positive motives, it can also imply that the actions were misguided or ineffective. It's important to consider the context and the actual impact of the actions.