intended to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"intended to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is expected or desired to be something in the future. For example, "This project is intended to be completed by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

- and was intended to be temporary.

The New York Times

"Music is intended to be for people.

The New Yorker

The restrooms are intended to be free.

The New York Times

Presumably this was intended to be reassuring.

The Economist

Nor is it intended to be.

The New York Times

It wasn't intended to be.

The Guardian - Books

These aren't intended to be rhetorical questions.

The New York Times

The campaign is intended to be bipartisan.

The Washington Post

Was this wedding intended to be fun?

The New York Times - Style

"It's just intended to be another tool.

The New York Times

He never intended to be a father.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intended to be" when clearly stating the purpose or design of something. For example, "This software is intended to be user-friendly."

Common error

Ensure it's clear who or what is doing the intending. For instance, instead of "The results were intended to be conclusive", specify: "The researchers intended the results to be conclusive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intended to be" functions as an infinitive phrase that commonly specifies the purpose, design, or expected state of something. It expresses what someone or something is meant to become or achieve. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in various contexts to indicate planned outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intended to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that describes the planned or expected purpose or state of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use across a range of contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, make sure to specify what or whom the intention belongs to, to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "meant to be" or "designed to be" exist, "intended to be" clearly communicates a planned goal or design.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meant to be

Uses "meant" instead of "intended", suggesting a predetermined purpose or destiny.

designed to be

Focuses on the design aspect, implying a specific construction for a particular purpose.

planned to be

Highlights the planning stage, indicating a prior arrangement or intention.

supposed to be

Suggests an expectation or obligation, often implying a standard or rule.

expected to be

Emphasizes anticipation, indicating a belief that something will happen or exist.

aimed to be

Highlights the goal or objective, suggesting a direction or target.

purposed to be

Focuses on the intended use or function, often in a more formal or technical context.

created to be

Emphasizes the act of creation with a specific intention in mind.

made to be

Similar to "created to be" but can also imply a natural or inherent quality.

destined to be

Suggests a future outcome that is predetermined or inevitable.

FAQs

What does "intended to be" mean?

The phrase "intended to be" indicates the planned or designed purpose or function of something. It suggests what something is meant to become or how it's designed to function.

How can I use "intended to be" in a sentence?

Use "intended to be" to describe the purpose or planned state of something. For example, "This book is "intended to be" a comprehensive guide" or "The new policy is "intended to be" more inclusive".

What are some alternatives to "intended to be"?

You can use alternatives like "meant to be", "designed to be", or "planned to be" depending on the context. Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance of purpose or expectation.

Is there a difference between "intended to be" and "supposed to be"?

Yes, while both phrases indicate expectation, "intended to be" emphasizes deliberate planning or design. On the other hand, "supposed to be" often implies an obligation or commonly held belief, not necessarily a planned intention.