intend to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

"intend to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a plan or purpose in the future, usually in the form of "intend to + verb". For example: "I intend to study hard and get good grades this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We intend to do something about it immediately".

The New York Times

So I intend to do something completely different.

The Washington Post

"And we intend to do something about it".

The New York Times

And if not, we intend to do something about it at the federal level.

The New York Times

He may not truly intend to do something, but he clearly stated that he intended to do it.

The Washington Post

"They recognize that there is a crisis in the steel industry, and intend to do something about it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

He actually intends to do something about it.

The New York Times

If Mr. Araldi is compensated, he intends to do something similar, he said.

The New York Times

After their friendship ended badly, she said, she notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation that Mr. Muhammad intended to do something dangerous, even deadly.

The New York Times

And that, if they knew that their client intended to do something wrong, "your obligation to keep matters confidential is overwhelmed by your knowledge of a future crime".

The New Yorker

In Riga yesterday Raimonds Vejonis, Latvia's defence minister, said: "The EU and Nato will not be surprised if Russia intends to do something like that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intend to do something" to clearly express a planned action or goal. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts, providing clarity about future intentions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "intend to do something" can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for alternatives like "plan to", "going to", or "want to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intend to do something" functions as an infinitive phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a plan or purpose. It specifies a planned action, goal, or future intention as seen in numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intend to do something" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a plan or purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for clearly stating future intentions across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. While versatile, it may sound slightly formal in casual conversation, where alternatives like "plan to" or "going to" might be more appropriate. The phrase is commonly found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, reinforcing its credibility and widespread acceptance. Understanding its function, purpose, and register allows for effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan to do something

Emphasizes a structured approach and pre-arranged steps toward a goal. It focuses on the arrangement and methodology.

aim to do something

Highlights the desired outcome or target that someone is trying to reach. It is more about the aspirational element.

mean to do something

Implies a prior intention or resolve, often used when the intention was not followed through. Places more emphasis on the subject's will.

purpose to do something

Suggests a determined or resolute intention, often implying a formal declaration or strong commitment. Formal and direct.

expect to do something

Indicates an anticipation or likelihood of performing an action, based on current circumstances or planning. More emphasis on probability.

desire to do something

Expresses a strong wish or longing to perform an action, indicating a high level of motivation. It's about an inclination.

aspire to do something

Conveys a high level of ambition and a strong desire to achieve something significant. It is more about reaching for a long-term goal.

undertake to do something

Implies a formal commitment or promise to perform a specific task or action. A stronger commitment is emphasized.

resolve to do something

Highlights a firm decision to act, indicating a strong determination and commitment. More about personal determination.

propose to do something

Suggests putting forward a plan or suggestion for action, often requiring approval or collaboration. It is more tentative.

FAQs

What does "intend to do something" mean?

The phrase "intend to do something" means to have a plan or purpose to perform a specific action in the future. It expresses a firm decision to act.

How do I use "intend to do something" in a sentence?

Use "intend to do something" followed by a verb to clearly state your plan. For example, "I intend to finish this project by Friday".

What can I say instead of "intend to do something"?

You can use alternatives like "plan to do something", "aim to do something", or "mean to do something" depending on the context.

Is "intend on doing something" grammatically correct?

While "intend to do something" is standard, "intend on doing something" is also acceptable, especially in informal contexts, although it is less common. However, "intend to do something" is typically preferred in more formal writing.