may be intending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be intending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's possible intentions or plans without certainty. Example: "She may be intending to apply for the job, but she hasn't made a final decision yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Wherever the soldiers on our screen may be intending to go, they are always advancing toward us.

The New Yorker

Mr Erdogan may be intending a similar electoral campaign later in the year when his AKP party might sweep back to power on a nationalist wave.

Independent

In the years up to 1981, tension had been building between black people and the police over the "sus" laws, which gave officers powers to arrest anyone they suspected may be intending to steal.

The Guardian - Opinion

One developer we spoke with believes Apple may be intending that for applications to feature things like sexual education.

TechCrunch

Targeting individuals who may be intending to engage in birth tourism is not only likely to invoke concerns about racial profiling and violations of privacy, it also puts at risk a robust and growing trend in Chinese tourism to the United States, which is expected to reach $81 billion in spending by 2021.

HuffPost

Other reports have speculated the video may be a hoax, and that the video's makers may be intending to capture the same viral notoriety as Mary Bale, the 45-year-old British woman who began receiving death threats when CCTV footage of her throwing a neighborhood cat into a trash can surfaced last week.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The elusiveness may be intended.

The New York Times

She may be intended as an Everywoman or a Ms Courage.

The Guardian

The authority's new public stance may be intended in part to deflect internal criticism.

The New York Times

The newest work in the show, painted last year, may be intended to remind viewers of that.

The New York Times - Arts

It may be intended to project royal opulence, if not excess.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be intending" when you want to express a possibility or speculation about someone's future actions, but you lack definite proof or certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "may be intending" when describing actions that are already underway. Instead, use it to express a potential future action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be intending" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty regarding a future action or plan. It is used to speculate about someone's intentions without stating them as definite facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be intending" is a modal verb phrase used to express uncertainty or speculation about someone's future plans. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, although not ubiquitous. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of contexts. While alternatives like "might be planning" or "could be aiming to" exist, "may be intending" offers a specific nuance of tentative expectation. Understanding its proper usage helps ensure clear and accurate communication when discussing potential future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be planning

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could be aiming to

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "intending" with "aiming to", suggesting a potential goal or objective.

might be considering

Emphasizes the thought process rather than a firm intention.

may be contemplating

Suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of options.

might have in mind

Focuses on the idea or plan that someone possesses.

could potentially be

Adds emphasis on the possibility aspect.

may be looking to

Implies active exploration or searching for opportunities.

might foreseeably be

Adds a sense of predictability or logical consequence.

may be disposed to

Suggests an inclination or willingness towards a particular action.

could turn out to be

Implies that an intention or plan might reveal itself over time.

FAQs

What does "may be intending" mean?

The phrase "may be intending" suggests someone possibly plans or aims to do something in the future but their plans are not yet certain.

How to use "may be intending" in a sentence?

Use "may be intending" when you're speculating about someone's future actions. For example, "He "may be intending" to quit his job, but I'm not sure."

What can I say instead of "may be intending"?

You can use alternatives like "might be planning", "could be aiming to", or "might be considering" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "may be intend" instead of "may be intending"?

No, "may be intend" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may be intending" because "intending" is the present participle form needed after "be" to express a continuous or ongoing potential action.