for ill intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for ill intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are motivated by malicious or harmful purposes. Example: "The hacker was found guilty of accessing the system for ill intent, aiming to steal sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The company's targets were equipment used to control the botnets, which criminals, known as bot-herders, use for ill intent.

The New York Times - Tech

"We're still investigating to see what the actual purpose is, whether it's for ill intent or if it's a prank," said Officer Gilberto Franco, a Greenville police spokesman.

Huffington Post

The company has created the "verify accounts" program, where our customer service staff actually verifies that these are the right accounts, and you can see these badges so you know you are looking at the right account, not something that has been set up for ill intent.

Huffington Post

A word to the wise - think hard before you cast a spell for ill intent or to manipulate another person against their will.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Set beside the Nazi commandant whom he depicted in "Schindler's List," his Lord Voldemort, in the Harry Potter saga, was a fantasy of ill intent, designed for kids, yet Fiennes laid serious siege to their imaginations.

The New Yorker

Last week he did a comedic riff on the case for the national audience of the "Imus in the Morning" radio show, portraying federal law enforcement officials here as bunglers of ill intent.

The New York Times

America's Federal Trade Commission looked into the matter, too, though it did not accuse Google of ill intent.

The Economist

"Dr. Miller's candor and diligence in returning these records to the Cook Counseling Center dispels any inference of ill intent".

The New York Times

It could also send a clear message to those of ill intent to keep their hands off Banteay Chhmar.

The New York Times - Arts

Ukraine suffered a serious cyber-attack on December 23 , 2015 leaving hundreds of thousands of homes in the dark in what security experts say was a first for hackers with ill intent.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

You see, each Internet-enabled device you bring into your house is a new point of failure – another place for folks with ill intent to find their way into your world.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for ill intent", ensure the context clearly establishes the malicious nature of the actions or plans being described. Strong verbs and descriptive adjectives can enhance the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "for ill intent" in casual conversations. The phrase carries a formal and somewhat dramatic tone, making it unsuitable for informal contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for ill intent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the purpose or motivation behind an action. It indicates that the action is carried out with malicious or harmful intentions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for ill intent" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating malicious or harmful purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. While not particularly common, it appears in various reputable sources, with a slightly formal register that makes it more fitting for serious discussions than casual conversation. Alternatives like "with malicious intent" offer similar meanings. Ultimately, understanding the contexts where "for ill intent" is most appropriately used can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

This alternative directly replaces "for ill" with "malicious", emphasizing the malevolent nature of the intent.

with harmful purpose

This focuses on the damaging outcome rather than the inherent evil of the intent.

for malevolent reasons

Replaces "intent" with "reasons", highlighting the underlying motivations as malevolent.

with sinister motives

Uses "sinister motives" to suggest a more subtle and perhaps hidden maliciousness.

for nefarious purposes

Employs "nefarious purposes" to convey a sense of wickedness and illegality.

with destructive aims

Shifts the focus to the destructive consequences of the intent.

for wicked schemes

Suggests a planned and elaborate nature of the malicious intent.

with bad intentions

A more straightforward and less formal way to express the same idea.

for harmful designs

Similar to "destructive aims" but suggests a deliberate plan.

with evil objectives

Highlights the morally reprehensible nature of the goals.

FAQs

How can I use "for ill intent" in a sentence?

Use "for ill intent" to describe actions or motivations driven by malicious or harmful purposes. For example: "The hacker accessed the system "for ill intent", seeking to steal sensitive data".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "for ill intent"?

Alternatives include "with malicious intent", "with harmful purpose", or "for nefarious purposes", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with ill intent" instead of "for ill intent"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "with ill intent" is generally more common. "For ill intent" is less frequently used but still grammatically correct and understandable.

What distinguishes "for ill intent" from "for good intent"?

"For ill intent" describes actions motivated by malice or harm, whereas "for good intent" (or more commonly, "with good intentions") describes actions motivated by kindness or benefit to others.