ill intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill intention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom which means someone who has a bad or evil intention for something or someone. For example, "He backed out of the deal with ill intention, taking advantage of the other person's naivety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It became clear for us that the detained British military men had no ill intention," Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said.

The New York Times

In the world of diplomatic negotiations, seeking a culprit or trying to ferret out ill intention from another party could have spelled doom for an effort that the French and the Americans were equally eager to see succeed.

The New York Times

"Does this show good or ill intention?" Iranian oil sales have been reduced by half as a result of the international pressure on Iran, and restrictions on financial transactions and transportation have created many difficulties for Iran's leaders.

The New York Times

The big data era enables huge amounts of tracking and state surveillance that simply wasn't possible before, even without the slightest ill intention on the part of those collecting the data.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We hope that the other two will soon be able to prove and provide evidence to the court that they had no ill intention in crossing the border, so that their release can also be secured," Mr. Ahmadinejad told The A.P. on Sept. 19.

The New York Times

Particularly, distrust due to malevolence indicates a concern that the trustee will engage in a harmful behavior with ill intention (Pavlou & Dimoka 2006).

Fashion and Textiles

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I never had any ill intentions".

The New York Times

Can her bankers smell ill intentions?

The New York Times

Fair enough; you doubtless had no ill intentions.

The Guardian

They may have no ill intentions; they're simply out of touch with what life is like for most families.

Harvard Business Review

But to reduce everything to the ill intentions of the US, NATO or the EU is an enormous mistake".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill intention", ensure the context clearly establishes the presence of a deliberate plan or motive to cause harm. Avoid using it in situations where the negative outcome is unintentional or accidental.

Common error

Avoid attributing "ill intention" to actions where the negative outcome was unintentional or due to negligence. "Ill intention" implies a deliberate and malicious motive, not simply a mistake or oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill intention" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a motive or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill intention" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a malicious or harmful motive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceptionally common, it appears in a range of contexts, predominantly in news and media, as well as science-related content. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity of a deliberate harmful design. Alternatives such as ""malicious intent"" or ""evil motive"" can offer nuanced variations. Remember, it is crucial not to confuse unintended harm with actions driven by deliberate "ill intention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious intent

Focuses specifically on a desire to cause harm or suffering.

evil motive

Highlights the underlying reason for malevolent actions.

nefarious purpose

Emphasizes the wicked goal or aim behind an action.

bad faith

Suggests dishonesty or deceit in one's actions or dealings.

sinister design

Implies a carefully planned scheme to cause harm.

harmful purpose

Highlights the potential for damage or injury resulting from an action.

destructive aim

Focuses on the intent to ruin or demolish something.

malevolent scheme

Suggests a deliberate plot driven by malice.

negative motivation

Highlights the detrimental or unfavorable reason behind an action.

unfriendly design

Implies a carefully planned scheme to act with hostility.

FAQs

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

You can use "ill intention" to describe someone's motive when they plan to cause harm, such as: "He manipulated the data with "ill intention" to mislead the investors."

What are some alternatives to "ill intention"?

Alternatives include "malicious intent", "evil motive", or "nefarious purpose". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "ill intention" and "bad judgment"?

"Ill intention" implies a deliberate desire to cause harm, while "bad judgment" refers to a poor decision made without necessarily intending harm. For example, spreading rumors out of "ill intention" is different from accidentally revealing a secret due to "bad judgment".

Is "ill intention" a formal or informal phrase?

"Ill intention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in news reports and analytical writing. The specific register depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.