Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
by intention
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'by intention' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is usually used to indicate that something was done deliberately or on purpose. For example, "He acted with care by intention to ensure that no mistakes were made."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Academia
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
37 human-written examples
Either by intention or mistake, Thatcher had published bogus figures.
News & Media
Analysis was by intention to treat.
Academia
All analyses were by intention to treat.
Academia
Analyses were by intention to treat.
Academia
All outcome measures were analyzed by intention to treat.
I did that by intention.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
21 human-written examples
All data will be analyzed by intention-to-treat.
Academia
Analyses were by intention-to-treat unless stated otherwise.
Science
Primary outcomes were analyzed by intention-to-treat.
Main analyses were done by intention-to-treat.
Science
This will be compared by intention-to-treat analysis.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "by intention" to clearly indicate a deliberate action, especially in formal writing where precision is important.
Common error
Avoid using "by intention" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "on purpose" or "deliberately" may sound more natural.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "by intention" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which the action is performed. Ludwig examples showcase its use in specifying that an action was done deliberately or on purpose.
Frequent in
Science
66%
News & Media
17%
Academia
17%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "by intention" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something was done deliberately or on purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a level of formality. While "by intention" can be used interchangeably with alternatives such as "deliberately" or "on purpose", the choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis. Keep in mind that using simpler alternatives like "on purpose" or "deliberately" may sound more natural in very casual conversations.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
deliberately
Emphasizes the conscious and planned nature of the action.
on purpose
A more informal way of saying "by intention", implying a clear aim.
intentionally
Highlights the mental state of having a specific intention.
with intent
Focuses on the legal or formal aspect of having a specific aim.
purposely
Similar to "on purpose" but can imply a more determined action.
designedly
Emphasizes that something was created or done according to a plan.
calculatedly
Suggests a careful and strategic planning before the action.
by design
Similar to "designedly", emphasizing a predetermined arrangement.
knowingly
Implies awareness of the consequences of the action.
of one's own volition
Highlights the voluntary and independent nature of the action.
FAQs
How can I use "by intention" in a sentence?
You can use "by intention" to indicate that an action was done deliberately, such as: "The error was introduced "by intention" to test the system's resilience."
What's a more informal way to say "by intention"?
Alternatives include "on purpose", "deliberately", or "intentionally". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.
Is "by intention" interchangeable with "with intention"?
While similar, "by intention" emphasizes the action's deliberateness, while "with intention" focuses more on the mental state. For example, "He acted "by intention"" highlights the planned nature, whereas "He acted "with intention"" emphasizes his purposeful mindset.
When is it best to use "by intention" instead of "accidentally"?
"By intention" is used when an action is planned and deliberate. "Accidentally" is used when an action is unintentional or unplanned. For instance, "He deleted the file "by intention"" means he meant to delete it, while "He deleted the file accidentally" means it was a mistake.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested