evil intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

"evil intentions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing thoughts or plans that are malevolent or harmful in nature. For example, "He had evil intentions in mind when he broke into the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Nobody had evil intentions," she said.

The New York Times

Now, does this indicate Chinese government evil intentions?

The Guardian - Tech

"I don't think John had any evil intentions.

The New York Times

Yet, even given his evil intentions, the case for such acts is not clear.

The Economist

What truly chills us, what virtually defines villains, are their evil intentions.

Harvard Business Review

Mistrust and outdated stereotypes persist: Russia is suspected of evil intentions and of aggressive, imperial designs.

The New York Times

Step one is to ascribe unambiguously evil intentions to anyone who questions the government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Syria called the attack "flagrant aggression" reflecting "the evil intentions" of the United States.

The New Yorker

Yet the very ordinariness of his appearance disguised his extraordinary and evil intentions.

The Guardian

Who wouldn't love a grid that states its evil intentions right across the center with WORLD DOMINATION?

The New York Times

The report's proposals for liberalising finance and scaling back state-owned enterprises "harboured evil intentions", says Mr Fan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evil intentions", ensure the context clearly establishes the malicious or harmful nature of the plans or thoughts being described. It emphasizes a deliberate desire to cause harm.

Common error

Avoid using "evil intentions" to describe minor disagreements or petty actions. This phrase carries a strong connotation of significant harm and should be reserved for more serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evil intentions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the underlying malevolent purpose or plan that someone holds. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evil intentions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes malicious or harmful purposes. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and academic discussions. The phrase serves to express condemnation or suspicion, highlighting the negative motivations behind someone's plans. Related phrases like "malicious intent" and "nefarious designs" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When using "evil intentions", ensure the context aligns with the serious nature of the phrase, avoiding its overuse in trivial situations. This exploration offers a thorough guide for understanding and effectively employing "evil intentions" in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intent

Replaces "intentions" with "intent", focusing on the singular purpose.

nefarious designs

Substitutes "intentions" with "designs", suggesting a more elaborate and carefully planned scheme.

sinister motives

Replaces "intentions" with "motives", emphasizing the underlying reasons for the actions.

malign purposes

Uses "purposes" instead of "intentions", indicating a deliberate objective to cause harm.

malevolent aims

Employs "aims" in place of "intentions", stressing the directed goal of causing damage or suffering.

wicked schemes

Replaces "intentions" with "schemes", suggesting secret and devious plans.

diabolical plans

Substitutes "intentions" with "plans", conveying a sense of elaborate and devilish plotting.

villainous goals

Uses "goals" instead of "intentions", focusing on the objective of a villain.

evil objectives

Replaces "intentions" with "objectives", stressing the specific aims that are malevolent.

harmful designs

Substitutes "evil" with "harmful" and "intentions" with "designs", suggesting plans that cause damage.

FAQs

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

You can use "evil intentions" to describe someone's plans or motivations, such as: "The villain's evil intentions were clear as he revealed his plan to destroy the city."

What are some synonyms for "evil intentions"?

Some alternatives include "malicious intent", "nefarious designs", or "sinister motives", each carrying slight differences in connotation.

Is it appropriate to use "evil intentions" in formal writing?

Yes, "evil intentions" can be used in formal writing when the context involves serious malicious or harmful purposes. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

How does "evil intentions" differ from "bad intentions"?

"Evil intentions" suggests a higher degree of malevolence and a stronger desire to cause significant harm, while "bad intentions" can refer to less severe or more trivial harmful purposes.