intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intentions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's plans, aims, or purposes regarding a particular situation or action. Example: "Her intentions were clear when she proposed the new project to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

About a quarter of those polled declined to declare their intentions.

The Guardian

And might the fact Hill is touring – including four UK dates in September – be a clue to her intentions?

The Guardian

One traditional criticism of Mitchell's approach is that she imposes her trademark style regardless of the original material's intentions.

The Guardian

Her own handwritten notes for that speech, released for the first time by the Margaret Thatcher Foundation on Friday, confirm her intentions: "Since Office.

The Guardian

The couple had attended most of the 20 hustings that had taken place since the start of the campaign, and their intentions were so well established that it would be a waste of time for anyone else to come round and check.

The Guardian

Reflecting the transformation of the political landscape in Scotland since the referendum, voting intentions for Westminster are now almost exactly aligned with those for Holyrood, where Labour polled 25% compared with the SNP's 51%.

The Guardian

Many triathletes approach the Christmas party season with the best of intentions.

The Guardian - Sport

Rodgers dropped Raheem Sterling in the wake of the negative headlines over the winger's future intentions, saying he felt that "there were other players mentally better positioned to play in the game".

The Guardian - Sport

The final opinion polls – released on Friday ahead of a four-day moratorium on publishing surveys of voter intentions – put the centre-left Zionist Union, headed by opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog and former peace negotiator Tzipi Livni, ahead with 25 to 26 seats, and Netanyahu's Likud taking 20 to 22 in the 120-seat Knesset.

The Guardian

Labour has been out of power in Scotland since 2007 and recent polls have suggested it is trailing the SNP in voting intentions for both Holyrood and Westminster.

The Guardian

They're able to infer human intentions by reading body language and odour, to the extent that they can smell oncoming seizures in epileptics and diabetics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intentions" when referring to a collection of aims or purposes, rather than a single goal. For a singular aim, use "intention."

Common error

Avoid using "intent" when you mean "intentions". "Intent" refers to a single purpose, while "intentions" refers to multiple aims or purposes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intentions" functions primarily as a noun, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes aims, purposes, or goals someone has. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Lifestyle

3%

Film

2%

Music

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "intentions" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun, referring to a person's aims or purposes. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for general use. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often discussing political and strategic objectives. While alternatives like "aims" and "purposes" exist, "intentions" maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. Avoid confusing it with the singular form "intent", which denotes a single purpose rather than a collection of aims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims

Focuses on the goals or desired outcomes one hopes to achieve.

purposes

Emphasizes the reasons or motivations behind actions.

objectives

Highlights specific targets or milestones one is striving for.

goals

Stresses the desired end result of one's efforts.

designs

Implies a plan or scheme to achieve a particular result.

plans

Highlights the detailed arrangements made to achieve something.

motives

Focuses on the underlying reasons or desires that drive someone's behavior.

ambitions

Indicates a strong desire and determination to achieve success.

aspirations

Refers to hopes or dreams of achieving something great.

intent

Highlights the singular form of the noun

FAQs

How can I use "intentions" in a sentence?

You can use "intentions" to describe someone's aims or purposes. For example, "Their "intentions" were clear from the start."

What are some alternatives to using the word "intentions"?

Alternatives to "intentions" include "aims", "purposes", or "objectives", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "my intention are" instead of "my intentions are"?

No, it is not correct. "Intentions" is a plural noun, so it requires the plural verb "are". The correct phrase is "my "intentions" are".

What's the difference between "intentions" and "plans"?

"Intentions" refer to aims or purposes, while "plans" are the specific steps taken to achieve those aims. You can have good intentions but fail to make effective plans.