chief intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary or main purpose behind an action or decision. Example: "The chief intention of this initiative is to improve community engagement and support local businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

My chief intention was to divide and move the peonies, hosta and St. John's wort, all affable perennials that could fill in bare spots.

The New York Times

The classic texts are David Niven's Bring On The Empty Horses and Clive James's Unreliable Memoirs, whose chief intention is to amuse.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps its chief intention, in the words of one adviser, was as a "psychology-management exercise" to boost the stockmarket and shake Japanese households and businesses out of their deflationary gloom.

The Economist

And in such an unequal society, the financial returns from education are very high (see chart 3).Labour's failureWhen Mr Blair declared education his priority in 1997, his chief intention was to satisfy concerned middle-class parents.

The Economist

The chief intention of the treaties establishing the three original European Communities, especially the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community TECC), was to foster economic integration among the original six Member States; the legal instruments granted therein to the European institutions were neither designed nor suited for political integration.

Columbia University

Now, China wants deliveries of the SU-30 attack jet, a more advanced version of the SU-27.Encircling the empty fortressEven if all this is mere atmospherics—and even if the border agreement and confidence-building measures are just re-treaded versions of deals reached, announced and feted last year there is no doubt about both countries' chief intention.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The new station chief had no intention of leaving Pakistan, American officials said.

The New York Times

A top aide to Mr. Dombeck, Chris Wood, said tonight that the Forest Service chief had no intention of resigning.

The New York Times

For now, his chief discernible foreign intention looks rather hopeful: Mr Abe is responding to signals from a Chinese government desperate to improve bilateral relations that Mr Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni shrine have undermined.

The Economist

"As tough as our economic position is," said Dr. Herbert Pardes, chief executive, "our intention is to do everything we can do to make our children's hospital top notch.

The New York Times

Thankfully, President Bush's stirring throw-down-the-gauntlet speech in August at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention and his surprise visit to Iraq in September demonstrate that the Commander in Chief has no intention of undercutting our newfound successes in Iraq.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief intention" when you want to emphasize the primary and most important purpose behind an action or decision. It is suitable for formal writing and contexts where clarity and precision are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "chief intention" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main goal" or "primary purpose" for better flow and naturalness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief intention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the primary aim or purpose behind an action or plan, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief intention" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight the primary purpose behind an action or decision, fitting well in formal contexts such as news reporting and academic writing. While not exceedingly common, its usage is clear and consistent across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist. For less formal settings, alternatives such as "main objective" or "primary goal" may provide a more natural tone. Overall, "chief intention" is a valuable phrase for conveying a sense of priority and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main objective

Focuses on the goal to be achieved, slightly more direct.

primary goal

Emphasizes the importance and priority of the aim.

principal aim

Similar to "primary goal" but slightly more formal.

central purpose

Highlights the core reason or function.

overriding objective

Stresses that this objective takes precedence over others.

key objective

Highlights the importance of the objective.

major intent

Uses intent instead of intention; slightly less common.

foremost aim

Emphasizes that the aim is the most important one.

driving force

Metaphorically describes the main motivator or cause.

primary concern

Focuses on the primary matter of worry or interest.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "chief intention"?

The phrase "chief intention" refers to the main or primary purpose behind an action, plan, or decision. It highlights the most important goal that someone is trying to achieve.

What can I say instead of "chief intention"?

You can use alternatives like "main objective", "primary goal", or "central purpose" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "chief intention" formal or informal?

The phrase "chief intention" leans towards the more formal side. In informal settings, consider using "main goal" or "primary focus" instead.

How to use "chief intention" in a sentence?

You can use "chief intention" as follows: "The "chief intention" of the project is to reduce carbon emissions" or "Her "chief intention" was to help those in need".