ill intent

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill intent" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's motives which are perceived to be malicious or harmful. For example, "Many of his colleagues suspected he was acting out of ill intent towards the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was no ill intent.

The New York Times - Sports

Was it someone with ill intent offering a false story?

Princeton University

Beneath beauty and idealism is cruelty and ill intent.

The New York Times - Books

She had no ill intent — really, just the opposite.

The New Yorker

Trump's denials of ill intent are simply not credible.

The Washington Post

"I tried to take the second baseman out — obviously no ill intent," Holliday said.

The New York Times - Sports

Before assuming ill intent, look for extenuating circumstances that might provide an alternative explanation.

Harvard University

One officer testified that Mr. Zimmerman had shown no trace of malice or ill intent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The restrictions do not stop people of ill-intent.

The Economist

19.31 With closed shotgun in hand, Saunders says he has "no ill-intent", he asks to speak to his wife.

The Guardian

Some argued that since it was listed together with bribery and corruption, it must involve malice and ill-intent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill intent", consider the context and ensure that the evidence supports the claim of malicious or harmful intentions. Avoid using the phrase lightly or without justification.

Common error

A common mistake is attributing "ill intent" to actions without sufficient evidence. Before accusing someone of acting maliciously, consider alternative explanations and avoid jumping to conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill intent" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill intent" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe malicious or harmful motivations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is found frequently in news and media, but also appears in academic and scientific contexts. When using "ill intent", ensure there is sufficient evidence to support the claim of malicious intent, and be aware of similar phrases like ""malicious intent"" or "ulterior motive" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid jumping to conclusions and attributing "ill intent" without proper justification. In essence, the correct and contextually appropriate use of "ill intent" can effectively convey suspicion, disapproval, or provide a critical assessment of someone's actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intent

Emphasizes the malicious nature of the intention.

evil intentions

Highlights the wickedness and immorality of the plans.

bad faith

Implies dishonesty or deception in one's actions.

malice aforethought

A legal term indicating premeditation and intent to harm.

ulterior motive

Suggests a hidden and potentially self-serving reason behind actions.

nefarious purpose

Emphasizes the wickedness and corruption of the aim.

malevolent design

Stresses the deliberately harmful and evil planning.

sinister motive

Highlights the ominous and threatening nature of the reason.

harmful intention

Focuses on the potential for damage or injury.

destructive purpose

Emphasizes the aim to ruin or demolish something.

FAQs

How can I use "ill intent" in a sentence?

You can use "ill intent" to describe someone's motives, such as, "The investigation revealed that the actions were carried out with "malicious intent"." It is commonly used to suggest that someone's actions are not accidental or well-meaning.

What's a formal alternative to "ill intent"?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "malice aforethought", "nefarious purpose", or "ulterior motive" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ill intent" or "bad intent"?

"Ill intent" is the more common and established phrase. While "bad intent" is understandable, "ill intent" carries a stronger connotation of malice and is generally preferred in formal writing.

What does it mean to assume "ill intent"?

To assume "ill intent" means to believe that someone's actions are motivated by malicious or harmful purposes from the outset, even without concrete evidence. It's often contrasted with assuming good faith.