establish the intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish the intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the purpose or goal behind an action, decision, or statement. Example: "In order to move forward with the project, we need to establish the intent behind the client's request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"We are therefore trying to establish the intent of the president's remarks," said Edgar Vasquez, a State Department spokesman.

The New York Times

The court rejected the proposition that an executive's knowledge of accounting and desire to meet corporate revenue targets can be sufficient to establish the intent to commit a crime.

The New York Times

The documents say moderators need to establish the intent behind the content by viewing a reported post in context.

Vice

So they're not facilitating infringement, they're facilitating access, and they may be doing other things she is not happy with, but I'm not sure if she could ultimately establish the intent element.

Vice

"Apply the context gained from each piece of content downwards throughout the entire gallery of photos and videos to establish the intent of the story," another section of the document reads.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He stresses, for instance, the way Baker and his allies trashed hand recounts, misrepresenting the fact that the Texas law Gov. George W. Bush signed allowed all the things Baker was attacking in Florida -- establishing the intent of the voter from partial detachment of a chad, from light visible through a chad or from indentation (the notorious "dimpling") of a chad.

The New York Times - Books

"Because the statements did not fully establish the commercial intent of the videos, and because no disclosures were made before consumer engagement with the material, we concluded that the ads were not obviously identifiable as marketing communications," the ASA ruled.

The Guardian

Whitaker is at his most creepy-kindly as Louise's handler, exhorting but not badgering her to establish the aliens' intent, and Renner, likewise, sheds the tough hide of his action-movie persona for the sake of a wonkish inwardness — relieved, I suspect, to swap the arrows of Marvel for a pair of spectacles.

The New Yorker

The signals establish the identity and intent of the sender.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rationale for eliminating the mens rea requirement in such offenses is that to require the prosecution to establish the defendant's intent, or even negligence, would render such regulatory legislation largely ineffective and unenforceable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prosecutors, on the other hand, sought to portray the program as surreptitious and to persuade cooperating witnesses to testify in order to establish the defendants' criminal intent.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish the intent", ensure that you provide sufficient context for the reader to understand the intent you are trying to clarify. Use specific details and examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the actual outcome of an action necessarily reflects the original "intent". Clearly distinguish between what was intended and what ultimately resulted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish the intent" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the action of determining or clarifying the purpose or motivation behind something. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in various contexts, from legal proceedings to content moderation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish the intent" is a useful expression for describing the process of determining the purpose or motivation behind an action or decision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. It frequently appears in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate across various settings. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to provide adequate context and differentiate between the intended purpose and the actual outcome. Alternatives like "determine the motivation" or "ascertain the purpose" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the motivation

Focuses on the underlying reasons or drivers behind an action or decision.

ascertain the purpose

Highlights the goal or objective that is being pursued.

define the objective

Emphasizes setting a clear target or aim.

clarify the aim

Stresses making the goal more understandable and precise.

identify the rationale

Concentrates on uncovering the logical basis or justification.

uncover the reason

Implies digging deeper to find the cause or explanation.

elucidate the motivation

Focuses on bringing clarity to the driving force behind an action.

reveal the design

Suggests exposing the planned or intended outcome.

decipher the meaning

Implies interpreting a hidden or complex intention.

understand the objective

Focuses on grasping the goal or aim clearly.

FAQs

How can I use "establish the intent" in a sentence?

You can use "establish the intent" to describe the process of determining the purpose or goal behind an action, decision, or statement. For example, "We need to "establish the intent" behind the new policy before we can implement it effectively."

What are some alternatives to "establish the intent"?

Some alternatives include "determine the motivation", "ascertain the purpose", or "define the objective", depending on the context.

In legal contexts, how important is it to "establish the intent"?

In legal settings, "establish the intent" is often crucial for determining guilt or liability. The prosecution must often prove that the defendant had a specific mental state or purpose when committing the act in question.

What's the difference between "establish the intent" and proving negligence?

"Establish the intent" involves demonstrating a specific purpose or goal, while proving negligence focuses on showing a failure to exercise reasonable care. Negligence doesn't necessarily require a specific "intent", but rather a lack of due diligence.