mere intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"mere intention" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It refers to a thought or plan without any concrete action or implementation. Example: "His mere intention to start a business was not enough; he needed to develop a solid business plan and secure funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If this is the case, then the mere intention to disadvantage someone, perhaps conditionally, does not suffice to violate her rights.

SEP

But, as Raz (1972), Kolodny and Wallace (2003) and others point out, the advising of the promisee of one's mere intention to do the promised act is insufficient ground for the sorts of expectations that are meant to attend promises.

SEP

The primordial worry lies with the principle of non-identification (i.e., the government shall not act with the mere intention to foster private interests (or neglect those of only some) and with concern for the limits (in public focus and necessity) of government powers.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Aside from the fact that it was a good cause, I was being charged for the mere intention, as the program had not started.

Huffington Post

In addition, the talented commander Nikephoros Phokas was called back from southern Italy to lead a separate army against Bulgaria in 895 with the mere intention to overawe the Bulgarians.

Wikipedia

Still, one could maintain that not the actual execution of saccades but the mere intention to make a saccade is sufficient to activate the saccade area defined by the localizer task.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As an idealistic twenty-something, I'm fascinated by people who aren't placated by mere good intentions but consciously shape their lives to mobilize real-world change.

Huffington Post

Forming if-then plans has been found to be much more effective than relying solely on motivation and willpower, as expressed in mere goal intentions ("I will do X").

BMC Public Health

Mere expression of intention is not adequate".

The New York Times

But for record companies, more important than lost potential earnings there&146s no guarantee someone who buys a bootleg would have bought the CD, so estimates of losses due to piracy are mere guesswork is their intention to use the Internet as the next great distribution channel.

Forbes

Thus, this research demonstrates that a motivational intervention in itself leads to a mere increase in intention but does not lead to behavior change replicating the previous study [ 29, 30].

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mere intention", clarify why the intention is insufficient or what actions are needed to move beyond it. For example, "His mere intention to improve sales was not enough; he needed a concrete marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid assuming that stating a "mere intention" is sufficient to achieve a goal. Intentions must be supported by planning, resources, and consistent effort. Don't mistake wishing for doing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere intention" functions as a noun phrase that highlights the inadequacy or incompleteness of a stated intention. It typically serves to contrast the intention with the required action or effort. Ludwig AI highlights, that its intention is considered as correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere intention" refers to a plan or thought that lacks the substance or action needed for it to be realized. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It's frequently used in academic, news, and general contexts to highlight the inadequacy of intentions without concrete steps. Alternatives like "simple intention" or "basic intention" can be used to express similar ideas. When using "mere intention", be sure to clarify what actions are needed to transform that thought into reality. Be aware that good intentions aren't enough without a concrete plan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple intention

Replaces "mere" with "simple", emphasizing the basic and uncomplicated nature of the intention.

basic intention

Substitutes "mere" with "basic", highlighting the fundamental and undeveloped quality of the intention.

just an intention

Adds "just" to emphasize the intention as solely existing in thought, without action.

undeveloped intention

Replaces "mere" with "undeveloped", underscoring the lack of progress or detail in the intention.

unfulfilled intention

Adds "unfulfilled" to show that the intention hasn't been realized, changing focus to the lack of accomplishment.

idle intention

Uses "idle" instead of "mere", suggesting a lack of activity or movement towards fulfilling the intention.

vague intention

Replaces "mere" with "vague", indicating a lack of clarity or precision in the intention.

abstract intention

Substitutes "mere" with "abstract", highlighting the theoretical nature of the intention without concrete application.

theoretical intention

Similar to "abstract intention", this emphasizes that the intention remains in the realm of theory.

notional intention

Replaces "mere" with "notional", suggesting that the intention exists only as an idea or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "mere intention" in a sentence?

Use "mere intention" to highlight that a plan or idea exists but lacks the necessary action or substance. For example, "The project failed because it was based on /s/good+intentions alone, without a proper strategy".

What does "mere" emphasize in the phrase "mere intention"?

The word "mere" emphasizes the insignificance or inadequacy of the intention by itself, highlighting that it's not enough without action or further development.

What are some alternatives to "mere intention"?

Alternatives include "simple intention", "basic intention", or "undeveloped intention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "mere intention" and "firm commitment"?

"Mere intention" suggests a tentative plan, while "firm commitment" implies a strong dedication to taking action. A firm commitment goes beyond a /s/simple+intention, showing resolute action and follow-through.