intention to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intention to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's plans, desires, or goals regarding their future state or identity. Example: "Her intention to be a successful artist has driven her to work tirelessly on her craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have no intention to be provoked".

The New York Times

"It wasn't its intention, to be honest".

The New York Times - Tech

It was never really my intention, to be honest.

The Guardian - Music

"I had no intention to be a singer," he says.

The Guardian - Music

It was never our intention to be around that long.

The Guardian

But it wasn't my intention to be mean about that".

The Guardian

And I have no intention to be miserable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was not our intention to be therapeutic.

The Guardian

It was not my intention to be a difficult family.

The Washington Post

It's my intention to be able to do that.

The New York Times

"It is not our intention to be second," he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes who has the intention and what the intended state is. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and desired outcome explicitly.

Common error

Avoid embedding "intention to be" within overly complex sentences where the core meaning gets obscured. Break down long sentences to improve clarity. For example, instead of "Despite the challenges, their unwavering intention to be successful, even with limited resources, remained their driving force", try "Despite the challenges, they maintained an unwavering intention to be successful. Even with limited resources, this was their driving force."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intention to be" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition, typically followed by an adjective or noun. It denotes a purpose or plan to exist in a particular state. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates someone's future plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intention to be" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing future plans and aspirations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. With a neutral register, it is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase effectively communicates deliberate aims and purposes. While versatile, clarity is key; avoid embedding it in overly complex sentence structures. Alternatives such as "desire to become" and "goal to be" offer nuanced options for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to become

Emphasizes a strong feeling of wanting to transform into something.

goal to be

Focuses on a specific target or objective for the future.

aim to become

Highlights the purpose or direction one is striving towards.

aspiration to be

Suggests a high ambition or dream for one's future self.

plan to be

Indicates a formulated strategy or course of action for future existence.

purpose to be

Underlines the reason or intent behind a future state.

objective to become

Stresses a clear and defined outcome one seeks to achieve.

ambition to be

Highlights a strong desire for achievement or distinction in the future.

calling to be

Suggests a strong inclination or vocation towards a certain identity or role.

determination to become

Highlights resolve to change into something in the future.

FAQs

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

The phrase "intention to be" is used to describe a planned future state or action. For example, "It is my "intention to be" more punctual" indicates a commitment to being on time.

What are some alternatives to "intention to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "desire to become", "goal to be", or "aim to become" as alternatives to "intention to be".

Is it correct to say "have the intention to be"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "They have the "intention to be" more involved in community activities" is a perfectly valid sentence.

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

"Intention to be" expresses a plan or aim one has for the future, while "intended to be" describes the designed or expected purpose of something. For example, "My "intention to be" a doctor is strong" versus "This project was intended to be completed last year".