have been intending

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been intending" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you planned to do or were considering doing in the past but have not yet done. For example, "I have been intending to finish the project, but I keep getting distracted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

What could they have been intending to do with little James?

The Guardian

He finds his expectations shattered, but not in the uplifting way the filmmakers may have been intending.

The New York Times

For several years, myself and Brigitte have been intending to visit Nepal's medieval cities and monumental mountains.

The Guardian - Travel

They argue that York would be a more appropriate city for his internment, especially since he might have been intending York Minster to be his mausoleum, and that failures to take into account relatives' wishes or the king's own preferences was a breach of human rights.

The Guardian

In a statement, Walton said:"I have been intending to retire from policing on this date for thirty years and I also told the IPCC many months ago that I was retiring this week so it is unfortunate that it has taken so long for them to complete their report".

The Guardian

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, who have been liaising with the VMD throughout its continuing investigation into the seizure, is concerned at the possibility that vets operating without a licence may have been intending to use the products on horses.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This may have been intended as satire.

The New York Times - Arts

It may not have been intended as a manifesto, but it was received as one.

The New Yorker

The e-mail was addressed to me, but it must have been intended for Rocco.

The New York Times

She responded with what must have been intended as judiciousness but came across as obfuscation.

The New Yorker

The "private" jokes appear to have been intended for a wider audience.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been intending" to describe an action you considered doing for a while, but haven't done yet. Be specific about the time frame to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "was intending" when "have been intending" is more appropriate. "Was intending" implies a past intention that may no longer be relevant, while "have been intending" suggests the intention still exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been intending" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action or plan that started in the past and continues to the present. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something you planned to do or were considering doing in the past, but have not yet done.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been intending" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a prolonged, unfulfilled intention, as Ludwig AI confirms. While not the most common phrase, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and scientific writing. It effectively conveys the sense of an action considered or planned over time but not yet executed. When writing, be mindful of the subtle differences between "have been intending" and alternatives like "was intending" or "have been planning to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been planning to

Emphasizes the planning aspect of the intention.

have been meaning to

Highlights a sense of obligation or duty regarding the intended action.

have been considering

Focuses on the thought process and evaluation of the intended action.

have been thinking about

Indicates a more general contemplation of the action.

have had in mind

Suggests a mental picture or concept of the intended action.

have been hoping to

Implies a desire or wish for the action to occur.

have been wanting to

Highlights a personal desire or longing for the action.

have purposed

Signifies a more formal or determined intention.

had an ambition to

Puts emphasis on a long-term goal or aspiration.

set out to

Highlights the beginning of an effort or journey toward a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "have been intending" in a sentence?

Use "have been intending" to indicate a plan or desire to do something over a period of time leading up to the present. For example, "I "have been intending" to call you all week".

What's a good alternative to "have been intending"?

Consider using "have been planning to" or "have been meaning to" as alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was intending" instead of "I have been intending"?

While "I was intending" is grammatically correct, it implies a past intention that may no longer be relevant. "I "have been intending"" suggests the intention still exists.

What is the difference between "have been intending" and "intended"?

"Have been intending" indicates a continuous intention over time, while "intended" simply states a past intention. For example, "I intended to call you" means I had the intention at some point, whereas "I have been intending to call you" means I've had the intention for a while.