intent on becoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intent on becoming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong determination or focus on achieving a particular goal or status. Example: "She was intent on becoming a successful author, dedicating every spare moment to her writing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What 2017 showed them, apparently, is this: Their roster is good enough to win the Super Bowl, and they are at least one contending team intent on becoming year's Philadelphia Eagles instead of this year's Green Bay Packers.

The Washington Post

As it stands, with LCH intent on becoming a "for profit" monopoly in which one of our major competitors is also its major shareholder, there is nothing to prevent users becoming losers.

The Economist

Her sister, Barbara, intent on becoming an actress, wanted a more interesting first name.

The New Yorker

Then St. Edmund went to Hollywood, intent on becoming a movie star.

The New York Times - Sports

He also joined the anti-immigration Progress party, intent on becoming a politician.

The Guardian - Books

From an early age, Lomasko was intent on becoming an artist.

The New Yorker

At St. John's University, he majored in communications arts, intent on becoming a cameraman and filmmaker.

The New York Times

At this point, she wasn't intent on becoming a jazz singer.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bergé moved to Paris as a teenager intent on becoming a journalist.

The New York Times - Style

For all Mr Medvedev's rhetorical support, Russia's armed forces are intent on becoming more dependent on nuclear weapons, not less.

The Economist

Intent on becoming an artist, he twice failed the art academy's admission test; his drawing skills were declared "unsatisfactory".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intent on becoming" to clearly convey a strong purpose and direction. For instance, "The company was "intent on becoming" the market leader."

Common error

Avoid using a base verb form after "on". It should be "intent on becoming", not "intent on become". For example: "She was "intent on becoming" a doctor", not "She was intent on become a doctor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intent on becoming" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of strong determination towards a future transformation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intent on becoming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys strong determination toward achieving a particular goal or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business, with slight variations in formality. To enhance your writing, remember to use it accurately with the gerund form. Consider related phrases like "determined to be" or "focused on becoming" for subtle shifts in emphasis. "Intent on becoming" is versatile for articulating focused ambition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determined to be

Replaces "intent on" with "determined to", emphasizing resolve.

focused on becoming

Substitutes "intent" with "focused", highlighting concentration.

set on becoming

Uses "set on" to indicate a firm decision.

aiming to be

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a verb emphasizing intention.

aspiring to become

Highlights ambition and long-term goals.

with the goal of becoming

Explicitly states the desired outcome as a goal.

pursuing the path to becoming

Emphasizes the journey and active effort involved.

striving to be

Focuses on the effort and struggle to achieve the desired state.

working towards becoming

Highlights ongoing effort and progress.

endeavoring to become

Implies a serious and sustained effort.

FAQs

How can I use "intent on becoming" in a sentence?

Use "intent on becoming" to describe someone's strong desire or plan to transform into something. For instance, "He was "intent on becoming" a successful entrepreneur."

What are some alternatives to "intent on becoming"?

You can use alternatives like "determined to be", "focused on becoming", or "set on becoming" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "intent on becoming" and "intending to become"?

"Intent on becoming" implies a stronger resolve and dedication compared to "intending to become", which suggests a plan or possibility.

When should I use "intent on becoming" instead of a simpler phrase like "wanting to become"?

Use "intent on becoming" when you want to emphasize the person's determination and commitment. "Wanting to become" is a more general expression of desire, while "intent on becoming" suggests a firm purpose.