governing intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "governing intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to the primary purpose or objective behind an agreement or action. Example: "The governing intention of the contract was to ensure both parties fulfilled their obligations in good faith."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But there is no sense of a governing intention, much less of the sublime contrariness with which the artist once joyously shredded pictorial norms.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Elections are infrequent and, as a previous brief in this series noted, political parties can be vague about their governing intentions.

The Economist

Her pick is widely viewed in Washington as a sign of her governing intentions.

Huffington Post

Bratman defends a reductive account of this normative requirement, explaining this interpersonal normative constraint in terms of the norms of commitment governing individual intention, such as those of consistency and means-end coherence.

SEP

More precisely, according to Triandis's theory, initial behavior adoption is mostly governed by intention because the person has no experience with the behavior.

BMC Palliative Care

Some people here cautiously hope that the surprise decision of the outgoing emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, 61, to hand power to his fourth son, Sheik Tamim, 33, may signal the governing family's intention to offer Qataris a taste of expanded personal freedoms, even if democracy is not explicitly on the agenda.

The New York Times

Instrumental rationality, as it's usually understood, is a requirement of coherence governing one's intentions and beliefs a requirement that is in place regardless of the truth of those beliefs.

SEP

"For some time now, the Republican House has made it clear that they have no intention of governing," writes New York Times columnist Timothy Egan.

BBC

Wada's announcement follows that of the International Association of Athletics Federations IAAFF) in August, with the world governing body stating its intention to revert to a four-year ban for athletes found guilty of doping from 2014.

BBC

This was long before the claims emerged about the so-called Trojan Horse plot, in which hard-line Muslims are alleged to have infiltrated school governing bodies with the intention of altering schools to follow a stricter religious ethos.

BBC

Mitt Romney is appeasing the hard (and hardened) right wing of his right wing party to get into office, but he has no intention of governing from that extreme, cold, sad place.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "governing intention", ensure the context is formal or legal, as it suggests a deliberate and official purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "governing intention" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main goal" or "purpose" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governing intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "governing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "intention". It specifies a particular type of intention – one that guides or controls actions or decisions. Ludwig confirms its usability, though infrequent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "governing intention" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the primary objective or guiding aim behind an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable but rare, best suited for formal contexts like legal, political, or strategic discussions. While alternatives like "primary objective" or "main purpose" exist, "governing intention" emphasizes control and direction. Therefore, it should be used judiciously to maintain an appropriate tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary objective

Focuses on the main goal or aim guiding an action or decision.

main purpose

Highlights the principal reason or intent behind something.

overarching goal

Emphasizes a comprehensive aim that guides all related activities.

principal aim

Stresses the chief objective to be achieved.

core intent

Focuses on the essential and fundamental purpose.

central objective

Highlights the key goal around which efforts are centered.

guiding principle

Emphasizes the fundamental rule or belief that influences actions.

driving force

Highlights the main factor that compels action or progress.

underlying motive

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious reason for behavior.

strategic intent

Emphasizes a carefully planned purpose to achieve a specific advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "governing intention" to describe the primary aim or objective behind a decision, policy, or agreement. For example, "The "governing intention" of the contract was to ensure fair trade practices".

What's a simpler way to say "governing intention"?

Alternatives to "governing intention" include "primary objective", "main purpose", or "overarching goal" depending on the context.

In what situations is "governing intention" most appropriate?

"Governing intention" is best suited for formal settings, such as legal documents, policy discussions, or strategic planning sessions, where a clear and official purpose needs to be articulated.

Is "governing intention" the same as "underlying motive"?

While related, "governing intention" refers to the explicit and stated purpose, whereas "underlying motive" implies a less obvious or even hidden reason behind an action. The former is more transparent and official.