demonstrate intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "demonstrate intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the expression of a purpose or goal, often in legal, business, or academic contexts. Example: "The contract was designed to demonstrate intent to collaborate on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The science and business community is here to help plan for the future, but we need the government to demonstrate intent.

The Guardian

But a few arrests or administrative measures to demonstrate intent is different from a robust prosecutorial process and deradicalization process for such groups.

The Washington Post

Apple, for example, is more likely to feature you if you appear to be worth featuring, and a major way to do that is to demonstrate intent.

TechCrunch

"But because federal trademarks are just that federal, the company must prove the transmission of money or goods over state lines". For founders building tech startups this is a particularly easy hurdle: representation in the app store or even an established website can demonstrate intent to sell beyond your home state.

Forbes

But to discuss, debate, be aware and acknowledge doesn't demonstrate intent of disruption of borders.

Huffington Post

As though carrying a concealed weapon in pursuit of someone does not demonstrate intent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

She added that demonstrating intent to murder was far more challenging than proving conspiracy.

Independent

But it is in convincing Lukaku to sign a five-year contract that Everton's manager and board alike have truly demonstrated intent.

The Guardian - Sport

Courts have conferred legal parentage on parents with no biological connection to a child who have demonstrated intent to parent and/or functioned as a parent.

The New York Times

Everton require one point to qualify for the knockout phase following a second successive home win in Group H and a performance against Lille, who arrived in the competition via defeat in the Champions League play-offs, that demonstrated intent.

The Guardian - Sport

He told the Portsmouth News: "There is no doubt in my mind that sinking the Belgrano was absolutely the right thing to do, firstly for the survival in case the pincer movement worked against our carriers and, secondly, it demonstrated intent to the Argentinians".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "demonstrate intent" in legal or business contexts, ensure the actions taken clearly and unambiguously support the stated intention to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "demonstrate intent" when the supporting actions are ambiguous or open to multiple interpretations. Ensure the actions directly and clearly correlate with the stated intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate intent" functions as a verb phrase where "demonstrate" is the verb and "intent" is the noun. It's primarily used to describe the act of providing evidence or showing a purpose or goal, which aligns with Ludwig AI analysis of the examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "demonstrate intent" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of showing a purpose or goal. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While not extremely common, it sees consistent use in news, business, and science, indicating a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "show intention" and "express purpose", which offer similar meanings with slight variations. When using "demonstrate intent", ensure actions clearly support the stated intention. The analysis shows that understanding its nuanced usage helps ensure effective communication in both professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show intention

Replaces "demonstrate" with "show", a more direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

express purpose

Emphasizes the act of stating a goal or aim, shifting the focus from action to declaration.

indicate resolve

Highlights determination and firmness of purpose, rather than just showing intent.

signal commitment

Focuses on conveying dedication and pledge, suggesting a stronger degree of obligation.

evidence a plan

Emphasizes the presence of a formulated strategy, which implies intent but is more concrete.

establish motive

Focuses on revealing the underlying reason for actions, often used in legal or investigative contexts.

manifest determination

Implies an outward display of resolve, suggesting a proactive effort to show intent.

portray commitment

Focuses on presenting an image of dedication through actions or words.

give an undertaking

Conveys a formal promise or pledge, often carrying legal or ethical weight.

exhibit motivation

Highlights the display of driving forces or reasons behind actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "demonstrate intent" to describe actions or statements that show a particular purpose or goal. For example, "The company invested heavily in research to demonstrate intent to innovate."

What is an alternative to "demonstrate intent"?

Alternatives include "show intention", "express purpose", or "indicate resolve" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "demonstrate intent" in a legal context?

In law, "demonstrate intent" means to provide evidence that someone had a specific purpose or plan in mind when committing an act. This can be crucial for establishing guilt or liability.

How is "demonstrate intent" different from "have intent"?

"Have intent" implies a mental state of purpose, while "demonstrate intent" suggests that this purpose is being shown through actions or words. Demonstrating provides observable proof of having that intent.