intends to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intends to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing someone's purpose or aim regarding a future state or action. Example: "She intends to be a successful entrepreneur after completing her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is what it intends to be.

The New York Times

It intends to be affordable and sustainable.

Construction and Building Materials

But H&M intends to be there.

The New York Times - Style

Now he intends to be a chiropractor.

The New York Times - Sports

Millett intends to be a problem.

The New York Times - Sports

He intends to be at the game on Monday night.

The New York Times

The prime minister intends to be in the chair.

The Economist

And he intends to be there with his camera.

The New York Times

Sandra asks him what he intends to be, a gangster?

The New York Times

Norway, for example, intends to be "carbon neutral" by 2030.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Range intends to be a global provider," he says.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intends to be" when you want to clearly state a purpose or planned action. For example: "The company "intends to be" a leader in renewable energy."

Common error

Avoid using "intends to be" to describe something that is already happening. It's for future actions, not present states. Instead of "He intends to be working now", say "He is working now" or "He plans to be working now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intends to be" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express a subject's planned future state or purpose. It demonstrates a proactive stance towards achieving a specific condition. Ludwig examples show it being used across a range of subjects, from individuals planning their careers to organizations setting strategic goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intends to be" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a clear plan or purpose. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While "intends to be" carries a neutral to formal tone and is highly common, it's essential to avoid using it to describe present actions. For alternatives, consider "plans to be", "aims to be", or "aspires to be" to achieve different nuances. This comprehensive guide aims to equip writers with the knowledge needed to effectively use "intends to be" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plans to be

Emphasizes a scheduled or organized approach toward a future state.

aims to be

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the intention.

aspires to be

Indicates a strong desire or ambition for a particular future state.

seeks to be

Suggests an active effort to achieve a certain condition.

desires to be

Emphasizes a wish or yearning for a specific state.

endeavors to be

Implies a determined attempt to reach a desired future state.

is designed to be

Focuses on the planned functionality or purpose of something.

is meant to be

Suggests a predetermined or inherent purpose.

is going to be

A more informal way of expressing future intention or expectation.

is set to be

Indicates a scheduled or arranged future state.

FAQs

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

Use "intends to be" to express a future aspiration or planned state. For example, "The project "intends to be" completed by the end of the year".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "intends to be"?

You can use alternatives like "plans to be", "aims to be", or "aspires to be" depending on the context.

Is "intends on being" grammatically correct instead of "intends to be"?

While "intends on being" is sometimes used, ""intends to be"" is generally considered more standard and grammatically correct for expressing future intentions. "Intends on being" might be acceptable in informal contexts but is less common.

What's the difference between "intends to be" and "is intended to be"?

"Intends to be" indicates the subject's own intention, while "is intended to be" suggests that something is designed or meant to be a certain way by someone else. For example, "He "intends to be" a doctor" (his intention) versus "The program is intended to be user-friendly" (designed by someone else).