it was intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was intended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was planned, intended, or meant to happen. For example: "It was intended to be a surprise, but she figured it out early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(It was intended to sell CD's).

The New York Times - Arts

It was intended for Sir Isaiah Berlin.

The Guardian - Books

It was intended to divide our communities.

The Guardian

Or at least that's how it was intended to work.

University of California, Berkeley

It was intended to make them give up.

Yale University

It was intended to divert the blow from themselves".

Independent

"It was intended to be about fairness and due process".

The New York Times

It was intended to disrupt an Ashura procession.

Independent

It was intended to make the financial relocations less attractive.

The New York Times

But it was intended to thwart Jackson's advanced rushing skills.

The New York Times - Sports

It was intended to reduce legal aid spending by £350m.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was intended", ensure the context clarifies who the intender was, even if it's implied. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was intended" without a clear understanding of the passive voice. Ensure the sentence clearly conveys the action (the intention) and the subject (what was intended) to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was intended" functions as a passive construction. It indicates the original aim, purpose, or design behind a particular action, object, or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

26%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was intended" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to communicate the original purpose or plan behind something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the phrase appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general communication. Common alternatives include phrases like "it was designed" or "the intention was", offering subtle variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context makes clear who held the intention and what the specific aim was. Mastering this phrase and its nuances will allow for more effective and precise communication in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the intention was

Highlights the underlying motive or objective.

it was designed

Focuses on the design aspect, implying a deliberate creation process.

it was meant to be

Suggests a preordained or destined outcome, adding a layer of inevitability.

the aim was

Highlights the objective or goal that was pursued.

the purpose was

Emphasizes the reason or justification behind an action or plan.

it was planned

Stresses the pre-arrangement and organization involved.

it was created for

Highlights the creation process and the intended beneficiary or recipient.

it was envisioned as

Focuses on the initial mental image or concept of something.

it was conceived as

Similar to "envisioned", but implies a more intellectual or abstract origin.

it was proposed as

Suggests a formal suggestion or recommendation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was intended" in a sentence?

Use "it was intended" to describe the original purpose or plan for something. For example, "The software update "it was intended" to fix several bugs".

What are some alternatives to "it was intended"?

Alternatives include "it was designed", "the intention was", or "it was meant to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was intended for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was intended for" is grammatically correct. It specifies the target or recipient of the intention. For example, "The scholarship "it was intended for" students from low-income families".

What is the difference between "it was intended" and "it is intended"?

"It was intended" refers to a past intention, while "it is intended" refers to a current or ongoing intention. For example, "The project "it was intended" to be completed last year (but it wasn't)", versus "The project "it is intended" to be completed by the end of this year".