intention to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intention to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing plans, goals, or purposes related to future actions. Example: "Her intention to do something meaningful with her life motivated her to pursue a career in social work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's certainly not their intention to do something silly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That brings the story up to last week, when – at long last – the government signalled its intention to do something more determined.

The Guardian - Opinion

The "Mulholland Drive" pitch was unusual not just because it was tantalizingly brief but because Lynch was candid about his intention to do something sui generis.

The New Yorker

Multiple studies show people are much more likely to follow through on an intention to do something – say, exercise more – if they form the intention to do it when they encounter a cue.

Independent

"We've all had that intention to do something, but the bucket wasn't there or the checkbook was in the next room," said Dorothy Ridings, president of the Council on Foundations, which helped form the September 11th Fund.

The New York Times

"We see the intention to do something, which is in a way better than the previous government, which wanted to let the market regulate itself in the long run," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Second, says Holton, we need to attend to an important subclass of our intentions to do something at a future time, namely contrary-inclination-defeating intentions, or, as he later terms them (Holton 2003), resolutions.

SEP

Likewise, if perception informs you not to like something, such as feeling bored, or hungry, perception then influences intention to want to do something about the negative feeling.

WikiHow

"More times than I want to think about, I've had the best of intentions on trying to do something and I create unintended consequences.

Huffington Post

"Their intention," she said, "was to do something grandiose, fantastic, to bring the war -- the consciousness of the war -- to Moscow".

The New York Times

It was intention because I wanted to do something when people have downtime in their lives, after the holidays.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying someone's "intention to do something", provide context about the motivation or reasons behind the action to ensure clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "intention to do something" vaguely. Always specify what the intention is. For example, instead of saying "He had an intention", say "He had an intention to improve his skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intention to do something" functions as a noun phrase that expresses a planned or purposed action. It indicates a goal or aim that someone has in mind. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intention to do something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to express a planned or purposed action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency is considered common, appearing in diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. While acceptable in informal settings, it's most at home in neutral to professional communication. Remember to specify the intention clearly and provide context when needed. Alternatives include "plan to do something" and "aim to do something", offering subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to do something

A more direct synonym, highlighting the purpose.

have every intention of doing something

Stresses the strength of the commitment.

plan to do something

Focuses on the planning aspect rather than the underlying motivation.

aim to do something

Emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of the action.

have plans to do something

Highlights the existence of pre-arranged actions.

purpose to do something

Indicates a resolute determination to act.

be determined to do something

Emphasizes the firmness of the decision.

set out to do something

Implies a deliberate beginning or initiation of an action.

resolve to do something

Highlights a formal or serious decision.

aspire to do something

Suggests a higher or more ambitious goal.

FAQs

How can I use "intention to do something" in a sentence?

You can use "intention to do something" to express a plan or purpose. For example, "Her intention to do something meaningful motivated her volunteer work".

What are some alternatives to "intention to do something"?

You can use alternatives such as "plan to do something", "aim to do something", or "intend to do something" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have the intention to do something"?

Yes, it is correct. It's synonymous with "intention to do something" and conveys a planned action. For instance, "They have the intention to improve the community".

What's the difference between "intention to do something" and "motivation to do something"?

"Intention to do something" refers to a plan or purpose, while "motivation to do something" refers to the underlying reason or drive. You can have the "motivation to do something", which then leads to the intention to do something.