lack of intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of intention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone not having the intention, desire, or will to do something. For example, "His lack of intention to help was unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

For intent to use condoms, the range was 4 20 (4 = strong lack of intention to use, 12 = neither intent nor lack thereof, and 20 = strong intent).

AIDS and Behavior

"One thing that defines procrastination isn't a lack of intention to work," Steel said.

The New Yorker

Border staff would need to establish whether new arrivals meet the requirements for entry, requiring proof of income, intention to return and lack of intention to work.

The Guardian

Still, one thing is to conclude like the Americans did, because of disciplinary measures, and another is to underscore, as we did -- and I quote -- on the basis of acquired evidence that there was a lack of intention.

The Guardian

His lawyer, Barry Roux, said Friday that if he were prosecuting the case, the charge would be culpable homicide — a less serious charge implying either negligence or a lack of intention to kill.

The New York Times

Although a smoker's intention to quit may not necessarily lead to immediate smoking cessation, the lack of intention may drastically delay smoking cessation.

Preventive Medicine Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The more recent trials (Bowden et al. [2000]; Calabrese et al. [2003]; Bowden et al. [2003]; Weisler et al. [2011]) overcome many of the methodological weaknesses of the older trials of lithium that have been described in the past such as lack of intention-to-treat analysis, masking of treatment allocation, size, diagnosis, and discontinuation artifacts (Burgess et al. [2001]).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

What we fail to appreciate is the difference between the facts and the intentions, or perhaps even the lack of intentions, behind the person who may be sharing the facts.

Huffington Post

Important study limitations include unclear adequacy of sequence generation, unclear allocation concealment, single blinding, and lack of intention-to-treat analysis.

European Journal of Pediatrics

The level of over-estimation associated with attrition bias (lack of intention-to-treat analysis) can reach up to 25% [ 35].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Methodological flaws included the lack of blinding, the lack of intention-to-treat analyses, inadequate allocation concealment, the unclear definition of primary outcomes, and high drop-out rates.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's state of mind, use "lack of intention" to clearly convey the absence of a plan or goal. For example, "His lack of intention to complete the project led to its failure."

Common error

Avoid using "lack of intention" when the more accurate description is negligence. Negligence implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, which is different from a complete absence of a plan or goal. For instance, a surgeon accidentally leaving an instrument inside a patient demonstrates negligence, not necessarily a "lack of intention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of intention" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting the absence of a defined purpose or plan. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of intention" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase that indicates the absence of purpose or will. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts and functions to express why certain actions are not taken or goals are not achieved. While relatively formal, the phrase is acceptable in most contexts. It's important to distinguish "lack of intention" from related concepts like negligence. Considering alternatives such as "absence of intent" or "lack of motivation" can refine your writing for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of intent

Focuses on the formal, legalistic meaning of 'intent' being absent.

want of purpose

Emphasizes the absence of a defined aim or objective.

lack of motivation

Highlights the deficiency in the driving force to act.

absence of will

Stresses the lack of determination or resolve.

deficiency of aim

Similar to want of purpose, but frames the issue as an inadequacy.

no inclination

Indicates a disinclination or unwillingness to do something.

unwillingness to act

Highlights the resistance or aversion to taking action.

disinclination to proceed

Focuses on the reluctance to continue or advance.

apathy

Suggests a general lack of interest or concern.

indifference

Highlights a lack of interest or concern about something.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of intention" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of intention" to describe the absence of a plan, purpose, or will to do something. For example, "The project failed due to a "lack of intention" from the team members."

What are some alternatives to "lack of intention"?

Alternatives to "lack of intention" include "absence of intent", "want of purpose", or "lack of motivation" depending on the context.

Is "lack of intention" the same as negligence?

No, "lack of intention" implies the absence of a plan or purpose, while negligence suggests a failure to exercise reasonable care. They are related but distinct concepts.

How formal is the phrase "lack of intention"?

"Lack of intention" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "absence of intent" might be more appropriate for legal or highly formal settings.