is planning to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is planning to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that someone intends or has decided to do in the future. Here is an example sentence: "She is planning to go on a trip to Europe next month." In this sentence, "is planning to" is used to indicate that the subject (she) has made a decision and has intentions to go on a trip to Europe in the future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bayer is planning to appeal.

The Economist

(Neither is planning to convert).

The New York Times

Laurie is planning to change that.

The New York Times

Europe is planning to follow California.

The Economist

He is planning to take his time.

The New York Times

CitySprint is planning to appeal.

The Guardian - Business

David Hasselhoff is planning to move to Wales.

Independent

Pogue is planning to review it.

The New York Times

The Coalition is planning to 'privatise' Medicare.

The Guardian

He is planning to change that.

The New York Times - Sports

But he, too, is planning to stay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is planning to" when you want to clearly state someone's intention or a confirmed arrangement. Ensure the context supports a definitive plan, not just a possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "is planning to" when the situation is merely speculative or uncertain. Instead, use phrases like "might" or "could" to indicate possibility rather than a firm plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is planning to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a future intention or a scheduled event. It is used to describe actions that someone intends to perform, often with a degree of certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression for future actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is planning to" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express future intentions or scheduled events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and formal business settings. While it maintains a neutral tone, it's essential to avoid overuse in speculative scenarios and to consider alternative phrasing, such as "intends to" or "is going to", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to

Focuses on the intent or purpose behind the action.

is going to

A more informal way to express future intention.

is about to

Indicates an action that will happen very soon.

has scheduled to

Highlights that the action is formally scheduled.

is preparing to

Emphasizes the preparatory actions being taken.

is arranging to

Implies that arrangements are being made for the action.

is set to

Suggests a firm and definite future action.

aims to

Highlights the goal or objective of the action.

envisions

Describes visualizing the action that will happen in the future

contemplates

Focuses on thinking profoundly about the action in the future

FAQs

How do I use "is planning to" in a sentence?

Use "is planning to" to express a future intention or a definite arrangement. For example, "She "is planning to" visit her family next month" indicates a confirmed plan.

What can I say instead of "is planning to"?

You can use alternatives like "intends to", "is going to", or "is preparing to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is planning to" or "plans to"?

Both ""is planning to"" and "plans to" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Is planning to" emphasizes the ongoing process of planning, while "plans to" simply states the intention.

What's the difference between "is planning to" and "is going to"?

"Is planning to" suggests a more formal and considered approach, implying that some arrangements have been made. "Is going to" is more general and can indicate a simple intention or prediction.