express intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"express intention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of clearly expressing your intent and/or goals to someone else. For example, "John expressed his intention to pursue a career in finance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

For Mr Friedman, economic behaviour owes as much to "market selection" as it does to express intention.

The Economist

Nurses who indicated that they would encourage their sons to consider nursing as a career had 1.8 times the odds to express intention to stay (95% CI = 1.1 to 2.6; P = 0.006).

Human Resources for Health

The adjusted analysis shows that individuals working for a commercial nursing agency (OR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.49 2.94) were more likely to express intention to leave, compared to those working in the provincial government.

Global Health Action

Was that, I wonder, his express intention in writing it?

The Guardian

No one goes into a care home with the express intention of dying.

The Guardian

Few people embark on careers with the express intention of making the world a worse place.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Meanwhile, the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund has been set up with the expressed intention to challenge establishment politicians.

The Guardian

That belief inspired her spontaneously expressed intention to convene the First Great Obituary Writers Conferencee.

The New Yorker

One of them expressed intention to attend an upcoming wedding wearing webby rubber Merrell athleisure footwear.

The New Yorker

"This contradicts Russia's repeatedly expressed intention to follow the path toward a full rule of law".

The New York Times

This would explain why the Democratic party platform was recently loaded with several pro-pot proposals, with the expressed intention of creating "a reasoned pathway to future legalization".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express intention" when you want to clearly and formally state someone's purpose or aim. This phrase is suitable for reports, articles, and professional communications.

Common error

Avoid using "express intention" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "intend to" or "plan to" are often more appropriate in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express intention" functions as a verbal phrase often used in legal, business, and formal contexts. According to Ludwig, it refers to clearly stating one's intent or goals. It often serves as the object of a verb such as 'to have', 'to show', or 'to demonstrate'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express intention" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey a clear statement of purpose. As noted by Ludwig, it is often employed to clearly express intent or goals. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, making it suitable for formal and professional contexts. While it is a valid and useful expression, it should be replaced with simpler terms like “intend to” or “plan to” in informal settings. Remember to be aware of the register and choose the most appropriate phrase for your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state intent

Focuses on the act of declaring one's purpose.

declare purpose

Emphasizes the formal announcement of a goal.

announce plan

Highlights the communication of a structured course of action.

communicate objective

Focuses on conveying a specific target or aim.

indicate aim

Suggests a more subtle or indirect way of showing intention.

reveal objective

Implies uncovering a previously hidden intention.

disclose goal

Focuses on making a goal known, often in a formal setting.

articulate ambition

Emphasizes the clear and detailed expression of a desire for achievement.

make known one's designs

Suggests a deliberate and strategic revelation of intentions.

profess intention

Indicates a formal or emphatic declaration of intent.

FAQs

How can I use "express intention" in a sentence?

You can use "express intention" to describe a formal declaration of purpose. For example, "The company "expressed its intention" to expand into new markets".

What's the difference between "express intention" and "state intent"?

"Express intention" emphasizes the act of communicating a purpose, while "state intent" focuses more on the declaration itself. The two phrases are often interchangeable, but "express intention" may imply a more detailed explanation.

Are there more formal alternatives to "express intention"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "declare purpose" or "profess intention" for an even more formal tone. However, be mindful of the context, as these phrases can sound overly formal in some situations.

What can I say instead of "express intention" to sound less formal?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "intend to", "plan to", or "aim to". These options are more suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing.