had no intention of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had no intention of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in past tense sentences to express that someone did not plan or have a desire to do something. Example: She had no intention of attending the party, but her friends convinced her to go.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had no intention of following.

The New York Times

I had no intention of profiting whatsoever".

The New York Times

Maria Theresa had no intention of surrendering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had no intention of watching it.

The New York Times - Sports

She had no intention of ever returning.

The New York Times

I had no intention of dying.

Independent

"Raffaele Sollecito had no intention of fleeing.

Independent

She had no intention of doing so.

The New York Times

"But I had no intention of dying.

The Economist

"She had no intention of losing another".

The New York Times

I had no intention of marrying anyone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more formal or nuanced tone, consider alternatives like "had no inclination to" or "never intended to".

Common error

Avoid using "have no intention of" in past tense contexts. The correct form for past tense is "had no intention of". For example, it is incorrect to say "They have no intention of going" when referring to a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had no intention of" functions as a declarative phrase, expressing a past lack of intent or purpose. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and primarily used to state that someone did not plan to do something. Many examples can be found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had no intention of" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, to express a past lack of intent or planning. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to clarify someone's mindset regarding a specific action. For varied writing, consider alternatives such as "never intended to" or "had no desire to". Remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and use the correct tense for accuracy. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never intended to

A direct synonym using a different verb form of 'intention'.

had no aim of

Replaces "intention" with "aim", focusing on the goal or objective.

had no inclination to

Uses "inclination" to suggest a lack of desire or willingness.

had no plan to

Focuses on the absence of a pre-arranged course of action.

had no desire to

Focuses on the absence of wanting to do something.

had no thought of

Highlights the absence of even considering the action.

had no ambition to

Emphasizes a lack of desire for achievement or advancement in relation to the action.

never meant to

Expresses that something was not part of the original plan or desire.

did not propose to

A more formal alternative indicating a lack of planned action.

wasn't about to

Implies a strong unwillingness or refusal to do something.

FAQs

What does "had no intention of" mean?

The phrase "had no intention of" means that someone did not plan or want to do something in the past. It indicates a lack of purpose or desire regarding a specific action.

How can I use "had no intention of" in a sentence?

You can use "had no intention of" to describe a past decision or state of mind. For instance, "She "had no intention of going" to the party, but her friends convinced her otherwise."

What are some alternatives to "had no intention of"?

Alternatives include "never meant to", "never intended to", or "had no desire to depending on the context".

Is "have no intention of" grammatically correct?

"Have no intention of" is grammatically correct, but it's used in the present tense. "Had no intention of" is used for the past tense, indicating a past lack of intent. For example "I have no intention of going now", but "I had no intention of going yesterday".