intending to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intending to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a purpose or goal that someone has in mind regarding their actions or identity. Example: "She is always striving for excellence, intending to be the best in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was not intending to be offensive.

Independent

How sincere is he intending to be?

The Guardian - Books

In college, I was intending to be a math teacher.

The New York Times

"I wasn't intending to be fresh," he said.

The New York Times

He went to Lehigh University intending to be an engineer.

The Washington Post

I wasn't intending to be a 'social entrepreneur'.

The Guardian

"I was always intending to be a stayer," she says.

The Guardian - Books

The review is intending to be a broad review of the evidence regarding stuttering intervention.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Still intending to be a playwright, he taught at Washington Square College of New York University.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was not clear whether he misspoke or was intending to be contentious.

The New York Times

Intending to be a fine artist, he studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intending to be" when you want to clearly state someone's purpose or plan regarding a future action or identity. It's especially effective when emphasizing initial intentions that may or may not have been realized.

Common error

Avoid using "intending to be" when describing actions that have already been completed. This phrase indicates future intent, so it's inappropriate for past or present completed states. For example, don't say "He is intending to be a doctor," if he already graduated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intending to be" primarily functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often following a verb to express purpose or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it clearly conveys what someone aims or plans to become or do. The phrase modifies the subject by explaining the motive behind an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intending to be" is a versatile expression used to denote future intentions or planned identities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that this phrase is most commonly found in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. When aiming for clarity in stating future objectives, "intending to be" serves as a precise tool in both formal and informal communications. Alternatives such as "planning to be" or "aiming to be" can offer similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

planning to be

Indicates a pre-arranged decision or plan to assume a certain role or state; less formal than the original.

aiming to be

Suggests a specific goal or target is in mind, focusing on aspiration.

aspiring to be

Implies ambition and a strong desire to achieve a certain status or role.

desiring to be

Highlights a wish or strong feeling towards achieving a particular state.

wanting to be

A more casual way to express a wish or inclination to be something.

hoping to be

Expresses a wishful expectation of achieving a certain condition or role.

expecting to be

Implies a belief or anticipation that one will reach a certain state.

proposing to be

Suggests the presentation of an intention or plan, often in a formal context.

purposing to be

Emphasizes a determined intent to become something, though less common.

endeavoring to be

Highlights the effort and attempt to reach a certain condition or status, with a formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "intending to be" to express someone's aim or purpose. For example: "She went to law school, "intending to be" a human rights lawyer."

What are some alternatives to "intending to be"?

You can use alternatives like "planning to be", "aiming to be", or "aspiring to be" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Intended to be" refers to a past intention or a design, while ""intending to be"" refers to a present intention. For example: "The book was intended to be a comedy," versus "She is intending to be a comedian."

What's the difference between "intending to be" and "going to be"?

"Intending to be" suggests a more deliberate and purposed plan, whereas "going to be" can simply indicate a future state without necessarily implying a strong intention. For instance: "He is intending to be a pilot," suggests a strong plan, while "He is going to be a pilot," simply forecasts a future career.