intentional communities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intentional communities" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a group of people who have come together with a shared purpose or vision for their community, often focused on sustainable living, social justice, or spiritual beliefs. Example: The city council approved the establishment of two intentional communities, where residents would live in harmony with nature and participate in communal decision-making processes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

For Peter Bakker, board member of the Dutch Federatie Gemeenschappelijk Wonen, or Community Housing Federation, an organisation representing hundreds of the Netherlands 10,000 intentional communities, living communally has been purely a lifestyle choice rather than a financial or social necessity.

BBC

Unlike communes, intentional communities are willing to use the tools of the privatised world to achieve their aims for sustainable living.

Vice

Unlike communes, intentional communities are willing to use the tools of the privatized world to achieve their aims for sustainable living.

Vice

I'm staying in motels, naturally, but also hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, campgrounds, intentional communities (a k a communes), monasteries, college dorms and sofas found through Couchsurfing.com, a free couch-swapping Web site.

The New York Times - Travel

It draws its inspiration, Ms. Schlenzka said, from art movements, like the Bauhaus; place-specific moments, like Black Mountain College in the 1950s; and hippie communes and other intentional communities.

The New York Times

Sociologists and historians who have studied the various incarnations of what is known as the "intentional communities" movement say that several communes begun in the 1960's and early 1970's still exist, although very few pure income-sharing communes formed around spiritual leaders, like Love Israel, remain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The movie itself spins a bubbly tale of a New York couple (Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd) who -- jobless and unable to afford their high-priced West Village apartment -- flee to an intentional community (not commune) in rural Georgia.

Huffington Post

And, of course, one of the leading proponents of a libertarian intentional community (don't call it a commune, hippie) is the internet's Glenn Beck.

Huffington Post

This is not a political commune and not a ménage à trois either but an intentional community bound together by compassion and care.

The Guardian - Books

"It's an intentional community that we have.

The New York Times - Food

"But that's the point of intentional community.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "intentional communities", specify their core values or purpose to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, mention if the community focuses on sustainability, spirituality, or cooperative economics.

Common error

Refrain from using overly broad generalizations about "intentional communities". Recognize that these communities vary significantly in their structures, goals, and lifestyles. Avoid associating it as a hippie commune or other counterculture. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate your points.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intentional communities" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of community characterized by shared purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and well-defined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intentional communities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, referring to groups of people living together based on shared values and purpose. As Ludwig AI accurately states, this phrase is used to describe communities focused on sustainability, social justice, or spiritual beliefs. Usage is most common in news and media, followed by Wikipedia and scientific contexts. While the term can be neutral, it's essential to provide specific details about the community's values to avoid generalizations. Alternative phrases include "cooperative living arrangements" and "communal settlements".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communes

More closely associated with the historic and sometimes counter-cultural aspect of the community, but it is a synonym.

co-housing projects

Refers to planned communities with shared common facilities.

cooperative living arrangements

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of living together.

sustainable living communities

Highlights the focus on sustainable practices.

collaborative households

Highlights the shared domestic aspect of living together.

ecovillages

Emphasizes the ecological sustainability aspect of the community.

residential collectives

Focuses on the collective or group ownership and management.

communal settlements

Highlights the shared residential aspect, though it can sometimes imply a more radical lifestyle.

utopian communities

Highlights the idealistic intentions behind creating such communities.

shared living spaces

Broader term describing any form of shared residence.

FAQs

What defines an "intentional community"?

An "intentional community" is a group of people who choose to live together based on shared values or purpose, often involving communal living arrangements and shared resources.

How do "intentional communities" differ from typical neighborhoods?

Unlike typical neighborhoods, "intentional communities" are formed based on a conscious decision to live together with shared values, whereas neighborhoods often form organically without such shared intentions.

What are some examples of different types of "intentional communities"?

Examples include ecovillages focused on sustainability, co-housing projects with shared facilities, and communities centered around specific spiritual or philosophical beliefs.

What are the potential benefits of living in an "intentional community"?

Potential benefits include increased social connection, shared resources and reduced costs, and a greater sense of purpose and belonging. However, it involves dedication and compromises.