intention to serve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intention to serve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire or commitment to provide assistance or fulfill a role, often in formal or professional contexts. Example: "The candidate expressed a strong intention to serve the community through various outreach programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He was often frank about his intention to serve the cause of blacks.

The New Yorker

The F.C.C. has not yet determined whether the new subsidies should be made available to any company -- Indian or not -- that can demonstrate its intention to serve reservations.

The New York Times

Yet the confirmation of his intention to serve another term, three years before the next election is due, betrays a sense of some underlying anxiety.

The Economist

At the time of the bankruptcy, Ally announced its intention to serve as a stalking horse bid for the legacy portfolio, bidding from $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion.

The New York Times

The fact that John Thune ran a difficult race against difficult circumstances and at this point is still short nevertheless speaks volumes about his desire and his intention to serve the country.

The New York Times

On Friday night, Thomas Borwick confirmed that his mother's intention to serve out her current term as a member of the London Assembly (LA), regardless of whether or not she was elected as an MP in May.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In my frustration, I asked, if we have positive intentions to serve others why don't things flow smoothly?

Huffington Post

"We aim to unite our community, not divide it, and our intention is to serve the whole of our community with an inclusive event, so to exclude any group is not a decision we take lightly.

The Guardian

As my mother says: if I have the intention to help people and serve our country, there will always be a way to make it come true.

Huffington Post

The trio's intention is to serve the composers' melodies and moods while allowing its own style to swing and shine.

The New York Times

It is with regret that I inform you of my intention not to serve as chairman or member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which is in the process of organization.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intention to serve", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what is being served. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "intention to serve" in vague contexts. For instance, instead of saying "They have the intention to serve", specify whom they intend to serve: "They have the intention to serve the local community."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intention to serve" functions as a noun phrase expressing a declared purpose or commitment. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase typically introduces an action or goal oriented towards benefiting someone or something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intention to serve" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, signifying a commitment or plan to offer assistance or fulfill a role. Ludwig AI indicates that while not exceedingly common, the phrase is employed in varied contexts, notably in news, wiki, and scientific domains. When using "intention to serve", clarity is paramount; specifically stating who or what is being served strengthens the statement. Related phrases such as "desire to serve" and "commitment to serve" can offer nuanced alternatives. Therefore, understanding its appropriate usage and potential substitutes enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire to serve

Replaces "intention" with "desire", emphasizing the feeling of wanting to serve.

commitment to serve

Substitutes "intention" with "commitment", highlighting the dedication to serving.

aim to serve

Uses "aim" instead of "intention", focusing on the goal of serving.

goal to serve

Similar to "aim to serve", but uses "goal" to express the objective of serving.

aspiration to serve

Replaces "intention" with "aspiration", suggesting a higher level of ambition to serve.

objective to serve

Uses "objective", framing the serving as a defined purpose.

purpose to serve

Emphasizes the reason or motivation behind the act of serving.

plan to serve

Focuses on the planned or scheduled nature of the service.

willingness to serve

Highlights the readiness and consent to provide service.

determination to serve

Stresses the firm decision and resolve to serve.

FAQs

What does "intention to serve" mean?

The phrase "intention to serve" indicates a plan or commitment to provide help, resources, or fulfill a specific role for a person, group, or cause.

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

You can use it to describe someone's goals: "Her "intention to serve" the public was evident in her policy proposals."

What are some alternatives to "intention to serve"?

Alternatives include "desire to serve", "commitment to serve", or "aim to serve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "intention to serve" or "intent to serve"?

"Intention" is generally preferred in formal writing. "Intent" can also be used, but "intention" often conveys a more deliberate and considered plan.