left with the intention of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left with the intention of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone departed or exited a place while having a specific purpose or goal in mind. Example: "She left with the intention of starting a new life in a different city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They left with the intention of returning through a legal port of entry and openly declaring their status to officials.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Primarily for financial reasons, 45percentt of undocumented students in college "stop out" — leaving with the intention of returning — and many do so multiple times, he's found.

Harvard University

The focus of Nemoto's Rinzai Zen sect is individual enlightenment; when a monk leaves with the intention of doing work in the world, the roshi is disappointed.

The New Yorker

Once you find the shrine, you complete the puzzle by setting your own wooden spear on fire, and then leave, with the intention of heading on to the tower.

The Guardian - Tech

Price did not write "At Long Last Leave" with the intention of it becoming the 500th episode; that decision was made afterwards when the staff members realized the story offered an opportunity for a look-back at the history of the Simpson family.

Wikipedia

On the 15th of June, 1861, he left with the announced intention of attending the General Chapter at La Grande Trappe, but when he was followed in his departure by Father Emmanuel and Brother Patrick, the two choir brothers who had arrived with him the previous October, it was evident to the community that he hoped his separation would be permanent.

University of Chicago

Yee left Singapore with the intention of seeking asylum in the US after being jailed for several weeks in 2015 and 2016.

The Guardian

Somehow she discovered that she was brilliant, got herself admitted to the University of Chicago, and left New Jersey with the intention of morphing her and Clare's odd union into something rare, free-floating, and completely modern.

The New Yorker

He and his wife, a Hungarian ecologist, had both left home with the intention of one day returning to be close to family.

Science Magazine

He left Neudeck with the intention of both destroying Röhm and settling scores with old enemies.

Wikipedia

At 05:00 on 23 April 1918, the High Seas Fleet left harbor with the intention of intercepting one of the heavily escorted convoys.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left with the intention of", ensure the intention is clearly and directly related to the action of leaving. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague intentions. Instead of saying someone "left with the intention of improving things", specify what "improving things" means in that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left with the intention of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It clarifies the purpose or reason behind the action of leaving. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

23%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left with the intention of" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that specifies the purpose behind a departure. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. When using this phrase, ensure the intention is clear and directly linked to the act of leaving to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "departed with the aim of" or "left intending to" for different tones and levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed with the aim of

Replaces "left" with "departed" and "intention" with "aim", providing a more formal tone.

went away with the purpose of

Substitutes "left" with "went away" and "intention" with "purpose", slightly altering the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning.

set out with the goal of

Replaces "left" with "set out" and "intention" with "goal", emphasizing the initiation of a journey with a specific objective.

started out with the aim of

Similar to "set out", but uses "started out" to convey the beginning of an action with a specific intention.

embarked with the objective of

Offers a more formal and literary alternative, replacing "left" with "embarked" and "intention" with "objective".

headed off with the plan to

Uses a more casual tone, replacing "left" with "headed off" and framing the intention as a "plan".

exited with the desire to

Replaces "left" with "exited" and "intention" with "desire", focusing on the underlying motivation.

with the intent to depart

Reorders the phrase, emphasizing the "intent" before the action of departing.

left, intending to

Simplifies the phrase by using the participle "intending", creating a more concise expression.

took off with the idea of

Employs a more colloquial expression, replacing "left" with "took off" and framing the intention as an "idea".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "left with the intention of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "departed with the aim of" or "went away with the purpose of". These options provide a slightly elevated level of formality while retaining the original meaning.

Is there a simpler way to express "left with the intention of"?

Yes, you can simplify the phrase to "left intending to". This concise alternative conveys the same meaning in a more streamlined manner.

When is it appropriate to use "left with the intention of"?

This phrase is suitable when you want to emphasize that someone's departure was driven by a specific, pre-determined goal or objective. It's useful for highlighting the purpose behind their leaving.

What's the difference between "left with the intention of" and "left to"?

"Left with the intention of" indicates a purpose that was in mind at the time of departure, while "left to" simply describes the act of leaving for a particular destination or purpose. For example, "She left with the intention of finding a new job" versus "She left to find a new job."