initial intention

USAGE SUMMARY

'initial intention' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the intention that something had at the beginning, before any changes or developments took place. Example Sentence: Our initial intention was to build a small store, but as the project progressed, we found ourselves constructing a full-blown shopping mall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Common Code for the Coffee Community initiative showed me that our initial intention is the spark which rekindles a latent desire.

Huffington Post

Iraq's initial intention here was straightforward theft.

The New York Times

Their initial intention, he insisted, was not to make videos.

The New Yorker

McMillan said that his initial intention had been to take pictures of Ruscha's wife, Danna.

The New Yorker

The government's initial intention was to deflect radical demands for an extreme version of Islamic governance.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was not my initial intention back in 2005 to do some big community collaboration thing.

The New York Times

""My initial intention was to hit it low, but then I had to improvise going in the air," Jimenez said.

The Guardian - Sport

Supplier turned scorer when De Bruyne added City's fourth, even if his initial intention was to record a hat-trick of assists.

The Guardian - Sport

Not remembering what my initial intention had been in deciding on this project, I now had to find my way as I wrote.

The Guardian

The initial intention was to convey the enormity and stealth of the attacks, but recriminations were implicit: the United States had been caught sleeping once again.

The New Yorker

The initial intention was in fact to make inventions available to the public as well.Before the 18th century, innovations were mainly kept secret through trade guilds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial intention" when you want to emphasize the original plan or purpose, especially when it has changed over time. This is useful in historical analyses, project management, or personal narratives.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the "initial intention" remains the same throughout a project or endeavor. Clearly indicate when and how the intention evolved if it did.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "initial" modifies the noun "intention". Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial intention" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the original purpose or aim behind a particular action or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, it's useful to employ "initial intention" to provide context and clarity, especially when the original plan has evolved over time. However, it's crucial to avoid assuming that the "initial intention" remains static and to clearly indicate any changes that may have occurred. Alternative phrases such as "original intention" or "first aim" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial objective

This is a synonym of "initial intention".

original intention

Replaces "initial" with "original", emphasizing the first or earliest intention.

preliminary intention

Uses "preliminary" instead of "initial", indicating an intention set before more detailed planning.

original plan

Substitutes "intention" with "plan", focusing on the initial course of action.

first aim

Replaces both words, focusing on the primary objective.

starting point

Emphasizes the beginning or origin of the intention.

early objective

Combines "early" with "objective", indicating a goal set at the beginning.

primary goal

Replaces "intention" with "goal", stressing the main aim.

first thought

Focuses on the initial idea or thought process.

basic purpose

Emphasizes the fundamental reason or purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial intention" to describe the original aim or purpose of something before it evolved or changed. For instance, "The company's "initial intention" was to create a budget-friendly product."

What phrases are similar to "initial intention"?

Similar phrases include "original intention", "preliminary intention", or "first aim", all conveying the idea of a starting purpose or objective.

Is "initial intention" formal or informal?

"Initial intention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often seen in professional or academic writing due to its precise and clear meaning.

What's the difference between "initial intention" and "final outcome"?

"Initial intention" refers to the original aim, while "final outcome" is the ultimate result. For example, the "initial intention" might be to reduce costs, but the final outcome could be increased efficiency, exceeding the original goal.