it was intending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was intending" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "it intended" or "it was intended." Example: "The message was unclear because it was intending to convey a different meaning."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But analysts said the North's remarks could also be an indication that it was intending to hold onto its arms despite an agreement it signed with five countries including the United States in 2005, in which it committed to eventually giving up any nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Returning to the 2010 briefing document, it is unclear how MI5 specifically intended to improve its ability to analyze the increasing amounts of data it was intending to pull in — although it also writes of a need to "develop at pace… capabilities (i.e. processes, people and technology) which will enable it to improve investigative value from its collection investment".

TechCrunch

More validation came in late December, when the Securities and Exchange Commission approved an S-1 filing from Terra Tech Corp., in which the company explicitly stated it was intending to use the capital to finance its various lines of business which now include the cultivation, processing and distribution of marijuana.

TechCrunch

It was not immediately clear where the plane had taken off from and where it was intending to land.

The Guardian

The FA had told Scotland, Wales and Ireland it was intending to enter teams for Rio provoking a storm of criticism.

The Guardian - Sport

The charity said it was intending to appoint ambassadors Anne and Keith Evans, whose gambling-addicted son killed himself, as trustees.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 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

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

The New York Times

It was intended to divert the blow from themselves".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing intent in the past, use "it intended" or "it was intended" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the continuous aspect ("was intending") when a simple past tense ("intended") or "was intended" is more appropriate for expressing a completed or general intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was intending" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express a past intention. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's not considered standard English usage, often replaced by simpler past tense forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was intending" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is typically "it intended" or "it was intended". The phrase aims to convey a past intention, but its non-standard usage impacts its suitability for formal contexts. It is more effective to use alternatives like "it intended" or "it was meant to" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it intended

Omits the continuous aspect, providing a more direct statement of intent.

it was meant to

Shifts the focus to purpose rather than active intention.

it aimed to

Replaces "intending" with a more active verb, 'aimed,' indicating a goal.

it planned to

Emphasizes the planning aspect of the intention.

it had the intention of

Rephrases the sentence to use the noun 'intention' for a more formal tone.

it had intended

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the completion of the intention.

it purposed to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing intention.

it set out to

Highlights the initiation or beginning of the intended action.

it designed to

Focuses on the design or purpose behind the action.

it aspired to

Implies a higher goal or ambition in the intention.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of "it was intending" in a sentence?

Use "it intended" or "it was intended" instead. For example, instead of "it was intending to launch a new product", say "it intended to launch a new product" or "it was intended to launch a new product".

What's a simple alternative to "it was intending"?

A simpler alternative is to use "it intended". This avoids the continuous tense and often makes the sentence more concise.

Is there a difference in meaning between "it intended" and "it was intended"?

"It intended" directly states the subject's intention, whereas "it was intended" suggests that something was designed or meant for a specific purpose. Depending on the context, you might also use "it was meant to" or "it aimed to".

Which is more grammatically sound, "it was intending" or "it intended"?

"It intended" is generally considered more grammatically sound. While "it was intending" might appear in some contexts, it is not typically used in standard written English. A better phrasing is "it was designed to".