intended to call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intended to call" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a purpose or aim behind a communication or action, particularly in formal or explanatory contexts. Example: "The message was intended to call attention to the urgent need for action on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Trilling once intended to call that book "Essays For and Against Literature".

The New Yorker

The fact is the commission never intended to call for anything so severe.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said he intended to call on Mr. Clinton to take part in party events.

The New York Times

Torre said he intended to call Knoblauch after reaching home last night.

The New York Times - Sports

Videos of David Cohen's costumed protest performances, intended to call attention to cruelty, are compelling.

The New York Times

When someone asked him what he intended to call his team, Eisner said, "The Mighty Ducks".

The New York Times - Sports

The Senate committee chairman, William L. Gormley, said he intended to call yet another session.

The New York Times

Some Liberal Democratic lawmakers said last week that they intended to call for legislation to block any new restrictions.

The New York Times - Tech

Fearing a riot she lunged for the phone, though I'm not sure who she was intended to call.

Independent

He stepped out of the bar, knowing by then that his wife hadn't intended to call him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

List all witnesses you intend to call.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intended to call" when you want to clearly state a prior intention or plan to contact someone or designate something by name. It adds a formal and purposeful tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "intended to call" when the action of calling actually occurred. Instead, use past tense verbs like "called" or "contacted" to describe completed actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intended to call" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating a prior plan or purpose. It often modifies a noun or pronoun, clarifying the subject's aim. Ludwig AI provides examples of how this phrase is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intended to call" is a versatile and widely used infinitive phrase that signifies a past plan or intention to contact someone or to designate something. Grammatically sound and primarily found in neutral contexts such as news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to provide context and background information. While it is generally acceptable, be mindful of differentiating between the intention and the action, as Ludwig AI pointed out. Remember that "intended to call" is useful for establishing an intention or a plan that someone had in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

planned to contact

Focuses more specifically on the act of making contact, implying a prearranged arrangement.

meant to summon

Implies a formal calling or request to appear, suggesting authority or urgency.

designed to notify

Highlights the deliberate design of a communication, emphasizing its purpose of informing someone.

had in mind to phone

Emphasizes the mental conception of calling, indicating a thought process leading to the intention.

envisaged reaching out to

Suggests a more thoughtful and visualised plan to connect with someone, often used in a professional context.

contemplated telephoning

Implies a more serious consideration of making a telephone call.

considered getting in touch with

Broader than just calling, includes various methods of communication.

proposed to ring

Suggests a tentative plan or suggestion to make a phone call.

aimed to get ahold of

Indicates a specific goal to successfully contact someone, even if it requires effort.

wanted to buzz

Less formal, suggests a quick call and it's very informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "intended to call" to express a prior plan or intention. For example, "The mayor intended to call a meeting to discuss the new policy" or "She intended to call him later that evening."

What's a more formal way to say "intended to call"?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives like "planned to contact" or "meant to summon", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "intending to call" instead of "intended to call"?

Both "intending to call" and "intended to call" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Intending to call" describes a current intention, while "intended to call" refers to a past intention. Choose the phrase that best fits the timeline of your sentence.

What's the difference between "wanted to call" and "intended to call"?

"Wanted to call" expresses a desire or wish, while "intended to call" suggests a more deliberate plan or purpose. "Intended" implies a stronger commitment or decision than "wanted".