intentional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intentional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was done on purpose. For example, "He made an intentional effort to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In all situations: assume good intentions; be intentional about understanding others and being understood; respect cultural differences," reads one of many tip sheets issued by the firm to promote "effective teamwork across cultures".

The Economist

This is intentional.

The New York Times

Paracetamol is also the drug of choice for intentional overdose, which is extra tragic as it is good at killing you – it causes the death from liver failure of between 90 and 150 people a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of the narrow circumstances in which capital murder cases are pursued in Kansas includes the intentional killing of more than one person in "the same act or transaction or in two or more acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a common scheme or course of conduct".

The Guardian

Most intentional firearms discharges by police result in either total misses or woundings.

The Guardian

Whether it's intentional or accidental, its gradual unbundling is not in the best interests of the people of the United Kingdom or any part of it.' Oh, a warning to those who might mistake Mr Ancram's amiable, consensual approach for a lack of low political cunning.

The Guardian

"The fact that the Syrian authorities ordered the pictures to be taken in order to verify that the services had actually killed the person they reported as dead is an indication of the regime's intentional, systematic and repeated crimes against its own population," the Belgian representative, Pascal Buffin, said.

The Guardian

He was opening Bailey's action against the Garda commissioner and state for alleged wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, conspiracy, assault and intentional infliction of emotional and psychological suffering.

The Guardian

Klinger, the Missouri criminologist, has been meeting with the Los Angeles police department to develop a new model for police reporting that would track not just fatal encounters, but all intentional discharges of firearms by police.

The Guardian

Given the remarkable expansion in the number of people using Apple computers, you would have thought that any disruption, intentional or otherwise, in the software ecosystems on which they depend for work would be regarded as news.

The Guardian - Tech

The DoJ then goes on to state that it does not believe the failings represented "intentional misconduct" or "bad faith" on the part of HSBC's management, but rather that fixing the bank's broken processes was slow work.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intentional" to clearly convey that an action was done on purpose, leaving no room for interpretation as accidental or unintentional.

Common error

Avoid using "intentional" when "intentionality" is more appropriate. "Intentional" describes an action, while "intentionality" refers to the quality of being directed toward an object or purpose. For example, you would say "the act was intentional", but "the study focused on the intentionality of the participants".

Linguistic Context

The word "intentional" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is done deliberately or on purpose. Ludwig shows its use in describing actions, behaviors, and even errors to emphasize their deliberate nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intentional" is a versatile adjective used to describe actions performed deliberately or with a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very common in diverse writing contexts such as news, formal business documents, and scientific publications. To ensure correct usage, remember that "intentional" should only be applied when describing actions that are not accidental. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "deliberate" or "purposeful" to best fit the context. Being mindful of these nuances will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deliberate

Focuses on the careful consideration before acting.

Planned

Emphasizes the pre-arranged nature of the action.

Purposeful

Highlights the existence of a specific aim or goal.

Knowing

Implies awareness and understanding of the action's implications.

Designed

Suggests a specific design or intention behind the action.

Premeditated

Implies careful planning and forethought, often in a legal context.

Conscious

Emphasizes awareness of one's actions.

Willful

Highlights determination and a refusal to be deterred.

Expressly

Emphasizes that something is stated clearly and directly.

Specifically

Indicates that something is precisely and clearly defined.

FAQs

How can I use "intentional" in a sentence?

You can use "intentional" to describe actions done deliberately or with a specific purpose. For example, "His mistake was not "accidental"; it was an "intentional" act of sabotage."

What is a good synonym for "intentional"?

A good synonym for "intentional" is "deliberate", which also means done consciously and on purpose.

What is the difference between "intentional" and "purposeful"?

"Intentional" suggests that an action was done on purpose, whereas "purposeful" implies that the action was done with a specific goal or aim in mind. The terms are similar, but "purposeful" emphasizes the objective.

Is it ever incorrect to use "intentional"?

It would be incorrect to use "intentional" if the action was accidental or unintentional. Make sure the context clearly indicates that the action was performed deliberately. In cases of doubt, consider "inadvertent" or "unwitting".