intention to help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intention to help" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or purpose to assist someone or something. Example: "Her intention to help the community was evident in her volunteer work and charitable donations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It also supports a more serious underlying intention: to help normalize mental illness.

The New York Times - Arts

"The trust is in contact with senior detectives from the Metropolitan Police and we have indicated our intention to help with their inquiries.

Independent

The monitors have visited Ariha six times so far, but the first few visits left the residents wondering if the monitors had any intention to help.

The New York Times

Kevin Pietersen has brushed off rumours of retirement and has signalled his intention to help England regain the Ashes next year.

The Guardian - Sport

It is my intention to help stem this epidemic by spending virtually all of my ski days at less popular places.

The New York Times - Travel

But in each case, it was America's clear intention to help bring down Communist regimes that were oppressing their peoples, and thereby, replace the dictators with democratic governments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

This seemed at odds with Duncan Smith's intentions to help people "escape the benefits trap".

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. McConnell urged Mr. Obama to prove his intentions to help the business community by doing more to push free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama.

The New York Times

In the last few days the Australian, Japanese and Indian governments have all announced their intentions to help develop an Indian Ocean warning system.

The Guardian

"We are disappointed with the reaction to our request, which we felt was with the best intentions to help study issues affecting Maine through an analysis of publicly available data," the newspaper said in an editor's note published Friday.

The New York Times

Incident severity also interacted with other bystanders' identity in influencing behavioural intentions to help the victim.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "intention to help", ensure it's followed by a clear and specific action or goal to demonstrate the practical application of that intention. For example, "Her intention to help the homeless led her to volunteer at a local shelter."

Common error

Avoid stating a general "intention to help" without outlining specific steps or actions. For example, instead of saying "They expressed their intention to help," specify "They expressed their intention to help by donating resources and providing manpower."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intention to help" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the reason or objective behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use in various contexts to express the aim of providing assistance. For instance, '...signaling London's intention to help make a push to address the country's long-running conflict'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intention to help" is a versatile and frequently used expression indicating a plan or commitment to provide assistance. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While common, it's essential to follow this phrase with specific actions to avoid vagueness. Common alternatives include "desire to assist" and "purpose of aiding", which may be more appropriate in formal settings. The phrase is most prevalent in News & Media and Science, making it suitable for both professional and general communication. Remember to specify the nature of the help for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to assist

Focuses on the emotional drive to provide help.

purpose of aiding

Highlights the objective and goal of providing assistance.

goal of assisting

Similar to purpose, emphasizing the objective.

plan to support

Emphasizes the planned and structured nature of the assistance.

commitment to benefit

Emphasizes a dedicated and long-term approach to helping.

aim to contribute

Suggests a broader, less direct form of assistance.

objective to serve

Highlights the act of serving others as a primary goal.

ambition to empower

Suggests a focus on enabling others to help themselves.

determination to improve

Focuses on the desired outcome of making things better through help.

endeavor to facilitate

Suggests a more indirect role, making it easier for others.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "intention to help" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "desire to assist", "purpose of aiding", or "commitment to benefit" instead of "intention to help". For example, rather than saying "His intention to help was clear", you could state "His "desire to assist" was evident".

What verbs typically follow "intention to help"?

Common verbs following "intention to help" include "develop", "restore", "heal", "address", "conquer", "shape", and "elect", showing the different ways one can put their intention into action. For example, "intention to help develop", "intention to help restore", etc.

Is there a difference between "intention to help" and "intent to help"?

"Intention to help" and "intent to help" are nearly interchangeable, but "intention" implies a more thoughtful, considered plan, while "intent" can suggest a more immediate purpose. In most cases, the distinction is subtle and either term is acceptable. "Intention" might be preferred in formal contexts.

How to avoid sounding cliché when using "intention to help"?

To avoid sounding cliché, specify the actions that demonstrate the "intention to help". Instead of a general statement, provide concrete examples of what will be done. For example, instead of "The organization stated their intention to help", specify "The organization stated their "intention to help" by providing food, shelter, and job training".