he was intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was intended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's purpose or role in a particular context, often implying that there was a plan or expectation for that person. Example: "In the original script, he was intended to be the main antagonist, but the character was later changed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Bobby, on the other hand, is more unappealing than one suspects he was intended to be.

The New Yorker

If he was intended for leadership, however, it clearly wasn't going to proceed from his scholastic efforts.

The New Yorker

Born Richard McLelland in Dublin and educated at Haileybury College, Hertfordshire, and Trinity College, Dublin, he was intended for medicine.

The Guardian

"Arafat is collateral damage, whether he was intended to be the target or not," said Ziad Abu Amr, a political scientist and politician in Gaza.

The New York Times

This dog never stopped looking properly into the space in front of him and then floated around the ring beautifully according to what he was intended to do.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a powerful oration — "If we are wrong," he said, "God Almighty is wrong!" — and he must have sensed, from the frenzied response, that this was work he was intended to do.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"He was intending to assassinate the speaker," Mr. Helmi said.

The New York Times

He was intending to enter the field of aviation.

The New Yorker

He was intending to return to the front when the doctors let him out of hospital.

Independent

"He was intending to kill us, all of us," she said.

The Guardian

He was intending to bid five diamonds over five clubs, but Meltzer, East, tried five spades.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was intended" to clearly convey a past plan, purpose, or expectation, ensuring the context clarifies who formulated the intention. For example, "He was intended to lead the project, according to the manager's initial plan."

Common error

Avoid using "he was intended" when "he was meant to" is more appropriate for expressing destiny or inherent suitability. "Intended" implies a deliberate plan, while "meant" suggests a broader sense of purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was intended" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone else had a specific purpose or plan in mind for the subject. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming it as grammatically correct and commonly employed, as showcased in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

19%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was intended" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, indicating a past plan or purpose for an individual as supported by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate it from similar phrases like "he was meant to be" to accurately convey the intended meaning. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone, making it appropriate for a range of writing contexts. Remember to specify who did the intending, as exemplified throughout this guide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was meant to be

Emphasizes a preordained or destined purpose.

he was supposed to be

Highlights an expectation or obligation that may or may not have been fulfilled.

it was his destiny

Implies fate or a predetermined course of events.

he was designed for

Focuses on inherent suitability or a specific design.

he was created to

Emphasizes the act of creation with a specific purpose in mind.

he was destined to

Similar to 'meant to be', suggesting an unavoidable future.

he was slated to

Indicates a formal scheduling or planning.

he was assigned to

Highlights a task or role that was officially given to him.

he was projected to

Suggests a forecast or expectation based on certain factors.

he was earmarked for

Implies a specific allocation or designation for a purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "he was intended" in a sentence?

Use "he was intended" to describe a past plan or purpose someone was meant to fulfill. For instance, "He was intended to be the team's captain, but an injury changed those plans."

What are some alternatives to "he was intended"?

You can use alternatives like "he was meant to be", "he was supposed to be", or "he was destined to be" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he is intended" instead of "he was intended"?

Using "he is intended" implies a current plan or expectation, whereas "he was intended" refers to a past plan. Choose the tense that aligns with the timeline you're describing.

What's the difference between "he was intended" and "he was planning"?

"He was intended" indicates that someone else had a plan for him, while "he was planning" suggests that he himself had a plan. The focus shifts from external intention to self-directed action.