intend to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intend to change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or plan to make a change in the future. Example: "We intend to change our marketing strategy to better reach our target audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We intend to change that".

The New York Times

I now intend to change that.

The Guardian

"Because we intend to change Washington, not accommodate it".

The New York Times

"We intend to change what Barclays does and how we do it".

The New York Times

An adviser said Mr. Huntsman did not intend to change his party affiliation.

The New York Times

Because hormone beef is prohibited in Europe, and we do not intend to change this.

The Guardian

He also said he did not intend to change his emotional style.

The New York Times - Sports

"They don't really intend to change it, and they should just come out and say that," Mr. de Blasio said.

The New York Times

Rivera allowed Zillo to organize the events, which they intend to change frequently to keep the concept fresh.

The New York Times - Sports

And as the cognitive effects of Parkinson's become better known I intend to change the subject ruthlessly.

The New Yorker

"These people intend to change civilization, and they are prepared to take a hundred years to do it," Murdoch said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intend to change" when you want to express a firm plan or purpose to make an alteration in the future. It conveys a stronger commitment than simply "wanting" to change.

Common error

In very informal settings, consider using more casual alternatives like "plan to change" or "going to change". While grammatically correct, "intend to change" can sound overly formal in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intend to change" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically acting as a verb complement to express a future action or purpose. As Ludwig confirms, the structure is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intend to change" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that expresses a firm plan or purpose to make an alteration in the future. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is suitable for various contexts, but should be adjusted depending on the desired level of formality. While widely accepted, considering more casual alternatives in informal settings can enhance the natural flow of communication. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan to alter

Focuses on a detailed scheme or method for achieving the change.

aim to modify

Suggests a more subtle or limited alteration than a complete change.

seek to transform

Implies a more profound and fundamental change than "intend to change".

propose to adjust

Highlights the act of putting forward a suggestion for change.

expect to revise

Emphasizes an anticipation of making changes based on new information or circumstances.

hope to reform

Suggests a desire for improvement through change, particularly in a system or institution.

look to reshape

Focuses on altering the form or structure of something.

aspire to revolutionize

Implies a desire for a radical and far-reaching change.

undertake to revamp

Emphasizes the commitment to a comprehensive and thorough renovation.

venture to convert

Suggests a bold or risky attempt to change something into a different form.

FAQs

What does "intend to change" mean?

The phrase "intend to change" means to have a plan or purpose to make something different in the future. It implies a deliberate decision to alter a situation, method, or object.

What can I say instead of "intend to change"?

You can use alternatives like "plan to alter", "aim to modify", or "seek to transform" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I intend on changing" instead of "I intend to change"?

While "intend to change" is the standard and more grammatically formal construction, "intend on changing" is also acceptable in some contexts, particularly in informal speech. However, using "intend to change" is generally recommended for clarity and precision.

How formal is the phrase "intend to change"?

The phrase "intend to change" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional writing, news articles, and formal conversations, but might sound a bit stiff in very casual settings.