honorable intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "honorable intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's motives or purposes that are considered noble or commendable. Example: "Despite the challenges, her honorable intention to help the community never wavered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Buried amid the sodden rhetoric and the jungle muck is an honorable intention.

The New York Times

That said, knowing that many doctors have an honorable intention to minimize a patient's anxiety, I must be assertive and solicit information from my doctor.

The New York Times - Magazine

And also of boredom, frustration and fatigue, as an honorable intention -- to explore the moral conundrums of humanitarian military intervention -- bogs down in dramatic and ideological incoherence.

The New York Times

This is a perfectly honorable intention, but the problem is that, in setting out to overturn historical stereotypes of Jewish passivity, Mr. Zwick (who co-wrote the screenplay with Clayton Frohman) ends up affirming them.

The New York Times

Also the simple and honorable intention to preserve a particular kind of story, one that's much different from even a long newspaper feature, with scenes and characters and a narrative arc.

The New York Times

His comments hit all the formulaic benchmarks of the modern apology for being, or saying something, racist in the media: abject self-deprecation, noted honorable intention, semi-plausible reasoning and questionable contrition.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Do his honorable intentions and youthful dreams count for anything at all?

The New York Times - Books

It is this failure that betrays the honorable intentions of "The Remains of Company D".

The New York Times - Books

The good guys are truly good, or, at least, they have honorable intentions and suffer remorse when they fall short.

The New Yorker

In the end Mr. Sanford's willingness to produce the play on his main stage persuades me of his honorable intentions.

The New York Times

Competence counts, too: Honorable intentions don't matter if a person's capabilities aren't up to the task.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "honorable intention", ensure the context clearly supports the claim of honorable motives. Provide evidence or supporting details to reinforce the positive assessment of the intent.

Common error

Avoid attributing "honorable intention" without sufficient evidence. Overuse or unsubstantiated claims can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honorable intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "honorable" modifies the noun "intention". It describes the quality of the intention, indicating that it is worthy of respect and admiration. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honorable intention" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a motive or aim that is considered morally upright and deserving of respect. Ludwig's analysis and real-world examples show it's frequently found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable. While alternatives like "noble purpose" or "ethical aim" exist, "honorable intention" emphasizes adherence to high ethical standards. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context justifies the claim of honorable motives, and that it is supported by evident data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noble purpose

Replaces 'intention' with 'purpose' emphasizing the goal.

upright motive

Substitutes 'honorable' with 'upright' and 'intention' with 'motive', highlighting moral correctness.

ethical aim

Uses 'ethical' instead of 'honorable' and 'aim' in place of 'intention', stressing moral principles.

virtuous goal

Replaces 'honorable' with 'virtuous' and 'intention' with 'goal', emphasizing moral excellence.

principled objective

Uses 'principled' instead of 'honorable' and 'objective' in place of 'intention', highlighting adherence to moral principles.

commendable aim

Replaces 'honorable' with 'commendable' implying praise-worthiness.

laudable goal

Substitutes 'honorable' with 'laudable', indicating deserving of praise.

respectable aspiration

Replaces 'intention' with 'aspiration', denoting a hope or ambition of achieving something.

worthy ambition

Replaces 'intention' with 'ambition', denoting a strong desire to achieve something.

altruistic design

Replaces 'honorable' with 'altruistic', emphasizing selflessness.

FAQs

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

You can use "honorable intention" to describe someone's motives or purposes that are considered noble or commendable. For example: "Despite the challenges, her "honorable intention" to help the community never wavered."

What can I say instead of "honorable intention"?

You can use alternatives like "noble purpose", "upright motive", or "ethical aim" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "honorable intention" or "honest intention"?

"Honorable intention" and "honest intention" are both grammatically correct but carry slightly different connotations. "Honorable" suggests nobility and high moral principles, while "honest" simply implies truthfulness and sincerity. Choose the word that best fits the specific context you're describing.

What's the difference between "honorable intention" and "good intention"?

While both phrases suggest a positive aim, "good intention" generally implies a basic desire to do something positive or helpful. "Honorable intention", on the other hand, suggests a higher moral standing or a commitment to ethical principles.