intends when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intends when" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in contexts where someone is trying to express a future intention related to a specific time or event, but it lacks clarity. Example: "She intends when to announce the results, but the exact date is still uncertain."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Despite his guardedness, Rahim perhaps reveals more than he intends when he talks about the effects of success.

The Guardian - Film

All of this Aciman apparently intends; when Clara muses, at the Christmas party, "My life as a French movie — there's an idea," the host tartly replies, "French movies are about urbane Parisians, not dyspeptic Upper West Side Jews on antidepressants".

The New York Times - Books

He is "one of us" in another sense, too, the sense that Conrad intends when he uses those words -- over and over, like a tolling bell -- to characterize his Lord Jim: a man who seems to embody the universal human terror of never really knowing who you are.

The New York Times - Books

In a memoir that is often very reticent (a whole bad marriage goes by in a blink) he reveals perhaps more than he intends when he tells us, "I confess that the moment when I recognized that I could envisage a real relationship with someone who was not a potential recruit to the party was the moment I recognized that I was no longer a Communist in the full sense of my youth".

The New York Times - Books

In brief, openness is expected to remove the need to trust others not to make mistakes or act with malicious intends when using the technology (see Johnson 2005 Schmidt 2008).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

My friends, that is not what God intended when He created America".

The New Yorker

Greenhouse gases are a hot topic (pun intended) when it comes to global warming.

Britannica

Surely this is the exact legacy that James Cameron intended when he made Avatar.

The Guardian - Film

This wasn't what Heston Blumenthal intended when he got scientific on the spud.

The Guardian - Travel

This is not what Congress intended when it passed the port security law.

The New York Times

What makes the same behavior acceptable, however well intended, when the person deceived is your elderly parent?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "intends when" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "plans to" or "aims to" to express future intentions with a specific timeframe.

Common error

Don't use "intends when" to describe future actions linked to a specific time. This phrasing is awkward and grammatically weak. For instance, instead of saying "He intends when to leave", say "He plans to leave" or "He intends to leave at [time/date]".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intends when" attempts to link an intention with a specific timeframe or condition. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing is grammatically flawed. Proper usage requires a clearer structure to express intended actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intends when" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although it appears in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, its usage is infrequent and should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives like "plans to" or "aims to". The correct usage of "intends" involves following it with "to" and a verb. While the intention is to express future actions related to specific times or events, the flawed structure undermines effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to do so when

Adds "to do so" for clarity, specifying an action related to a future event.

plans to act when

Replaces "intends" with "plans" for a clearer expression of future action.

aims to proceed when

Substitutes "intends" with "aims" to indicate purpose and future timing.

intends to implement it when

Specifies an action to be implemented at a future time, replacing the general "intends when".

anticipates acting when

Indicates an expectation of acting at a specific time, instead of a simple intention.

expects to occur when

Replaces intention with expectation, focusing on the timing of an event.

foresees happening when

Emphasizes foreseeing a future occurrence rather than intending it.

is scheduled to happen when

Focuses on a scheduled event and its timing, not necessarily someone's intention.

contemplates acting when

Indicates a consideration of acting in the future, a weaker form of intention.

envisions doing it when

Expresses a vision of future action, moving away from direct intention.

FAQs

How can I properly use "intends" to indicate a future action?

To use "intends" correctly for future actions, follow it with "to" and the verb. For example, instead of saying "He intends when to announce", say "He intends to announce the results soon".

What are some alternatives to "intends when" for expressing future plans?

Instead of "intends when", consider using phrases like "plans to", "aims to", or "intends to" followed by a specific action.

Is the phrase "intends when" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "intends when" is not grammatically correct. It's better to restructure the sentence for clarity, such as "He intends to act when [condition is met]".

What's the difference between "intends when" and "intends to"?

"Intends when" is grammatically incorrect and unclear. "Intends to" is the correct form, expressing a clear intention to perform an action. For example, "He intends to finish the project by Friday".