intently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe doing something with focused attention or concentration. Example: "She listened intently to the speaker, eager to absorb every word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, it's likely that when he swung his head around and gawped intently at a recent episode of Game of Thrones, he was simply distracted by all the colours and noises.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But as the opening scene of the season it's a classic, setting up one of the most important storylines – the bodies in the vacants – while hinting at the theme of education with Snoop listening intently to the relative merits of the De Walt 410 and the Hilti DX 460.

The Guardian

The visitors came in their thousands, staring intently at the Rembrandts, Rubens and Murillos in the hope that they would be able to spot the imposter hidden among the masters.

The Guardian - Arts

He hunches intently over the mike, honestly addressing his audience.

The Guardian - Film

As they worked, they were watched intently by technicians from the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) who took notes and photographs, but who left empty-handed.

The Guardian

While many officers listen intently, some are openly skeptical.

The Guardian

John Lewis, a local radio reporter who was present at the execution, said that while the prisoner was being killed MacPhail family members sat in the front row looking intently at him.

The Guardian

All intently watched their 43-year-old commander, a sturdy man with silvery hair from Little Rock, Ark., who had driven in especially from the battalion headquarters to bolster their spirits and their courage.

The New York Times

They're huddled close together, their backs to both the restaurant and the street, speaking intently.

The Economist

THE commuter you can see hunched over his smartphone, staring intently at the screen and occasionally swiping it with his finger may be reading urgent e-mails or checking the latest news.

The Economist

As a result, people tend to listen more intently and speak more forcefully.Add 60 decibels or more of background noise from a couple of large turbo-fan engines droning away outside and the air passenger behind you could soon be shouting loud enough for even the pilot to hear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally or scientifically, consider "attentively" as an alternative to "intently".

Common error

Avoid using "intensely" when you mean "intently". "Intensely" describes the degree of something (e.g., intensely hot), while "intently" describes the manner of focusing (e.g., listening intently).

Linguistic Context

The adverb "intently" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms it is generally accepted in the English language. For example, "staring intently" or "listening intently" modifies the verbs "staring" and "listening", respectively, specifying how these actions are carried out.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "intently" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe actions performed with focused attention. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in English. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent application in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. When employing "intently", ensure you are emphasizing the manner of focus rather than the degree or strength of something, and avoid confusion with "intensely".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attentively

Emphasizes careful listening or observation.

closely

Suggests careful examination or observation with minimal shift in meaning.

earnestly

Conveys sincerity and focused effort in paying attention.

with focus

Highlights the presence of concentrated attention.

with concentration

Similar to "with focus" but emphasizes mental effort.

carefully

Indicates thoughtfulness and precision in observation.

keenly

Suggests enthusiasm and sharpness in observation.

studiously

Implies a deliberate and methodical approach to paying attention, similar to how one might study something.

with rapt attention

Emphasizes being completely engrossed and fascinated.

absorbedly

Indicates being completely immersed in something, losing awareness of surroundings.

FAQs

How can I use "intently" in a sentence?

"Intently" is used to describe the manner in which someone is focusing their attention. For example, "She listened "attentively" to the speaker" or "He watched the screen "closely"".

What words can I use instead of "intently"?

Alternatives to "intently" include "attentively", "closely", "earnestly", or "with focus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "intensely focused" instead of "intently focused"?

While "intensely focused" is grammatically correct, it emphasizes the degree of focus rather than the manner of focusing. "Intently focused" is less common; using "intently" to modify the verb (e.g., "focused intently") is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "intently" and "intensely"?

"Intently" describes how something is done with focus (e.g., "He listened intently"), whereas "intensely" describes the degree or strength of something (e.g., "intensely bright"). They are not interchangeable.