intention of doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intention of doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to somebody's purpose or goal. For example, "She had the intention of doing her best work on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have no intention of doing that".

The New York Times

I have no intention of doing this.

The New York Times

She had no intention of doing so.

The New York Times

Henry had no intention of doing that.

The New York Times

It has no intention of doing so.

Harvard Business Review

I have every intention of doing so.

The New York Times

"We have every intention of doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

Both said they had no intention of doing so.

The New York Times

I had no intention of doing anything quite so serious.

Independent

As yet, he has no intention of doing so.

The Economist

Yet others have no intention of doing so.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intention of doing", ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates who holds the intention and what the intended action is. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "intention of doing" when referring to completed actions. This phrase is best suited for planned or future actions, not past events. Using "intention of having done" might be grammatically correct but sounds awkward. Rephrasing the sentence can sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intention of doing" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It specifies a planned action or purpose. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in declaring future actions or objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intention of doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a planned action or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. With a neutral to formal register, it's suitable for various contexts, especially news, academic writing, and business communications. To enhance clarity, ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates the actor and the intended action. While "intention to do" is a valid alternative, "intention of doing" emphasizes the action itself. While generally used for future plans, be cautious when applying it to past actions, opting for clearer rephrasing when necessary. The phrase appears most often in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan on doing

Emphasizes the planning stage and the expectation of future action.

mean to do

Indicates an intention that may or may not have been acted upon.

aim to do

Focuses on the specific goal or target one is trying to achieve.

have in mind to do

Refers to a thought-out intention or plan.

purpose of doing

Highlights the reason or objective behind an action.

objective of doing

Similar to "goal of doing", but often used in more formal settings.

goal of doing

Stresses the desired outcome or accomplishment.

set out to do

Focuses on the initial action of starting a task with a clear intention.

design to do

Implies a deliberate arrangement or intention behind an action.

aspire to do

Highlights a strong desire or ambition to achieve something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "intention of doing" to sound more casual?

For a more casual tone, you could use phrases like "planning to", "aiming to", or "going to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "intention to do" instead of "intention of doing"?

Yes, "intention to do" is also grammatically correct and often used. "Intention of doing" emphasizes the action itself, while "intention to do" focuses on the purpose.

What's the difference between "having the intention of doing" and simply "intending to do"?

"Having the intention of doing" is more formal and emphatic, while "intending to do" is more direct and concise. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "intention of doing" be used for past actions?

While grammatically possible (e.g., "He had the intention of doing it"), it's more common and natural to use it for future or present plans. For past actions, consider rephrasing to clarify the original plan.