my initial intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"my initial intention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to an idea or plan that you had in the beginning, but that may have since changed. For example, "My initial intention was to finish the project by the end of the week, but I now realize that I need more time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It was not my initial intention back in 2005 to do some big community collaboration thing.

The New York Times

""My initial intention was to hit it low, but then I had to improvise going in the air," Jimenez said.

The Guardian - Sport

Not remembering what my initial intention had been in deciding on this project, I now had to find my way as I wrote.

The Guardian

My initial intention was to create a work that focused entirely on the Antarctic, but, as so often happens, my intentions were altered by the experience itself, and my composition became about the extraordinary voyage as much as the continent itself.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm a Ph.D. biochemist, trained broadly but with a focus that stemmed from my initial intention to pursue an academic career.

Science Magazine

Although I am still fulfilling my initial intention of doing research in a foreign setting, I also take time to seek out new opportunities: Christmas Markets in Germany, punting on the Cam River, seeing the continued construction of the Sagrada Familia, performing violin with other musicians at balls, attending formal dinners with scholars and fellows.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I felt powerful because my initial intentions realized themselves.

Huffington Post

The Common Code for the Coffee Community initiative showed me that our initial intention is the spark which rekindles a latent desire.

Huffington Post

Iraq's initial intention here was straightforward theft.

The New York Times

Their initial intention, he insisted, was not to make videos.

The New Yorker

McMillan said that his initial intention had been to take pictures of Ruscha's wife, Danna.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or process, explicitly stating "my initial intention" can frame the subsequent actions or deviations, making the narrative more understandable to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "my initial intention" when you're actually referring to the eventual result or outcome. Intention refers to what you meant to do, not necessarily what you achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial intention" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a person's original plan or objective. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage in numerous examples, highlighting its role in setting context or explaining changes in strategy or direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my initial intention" is a useful phrase to describe a prior plan or objective, especially when contrasting it with subsequent changes or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. While not extremely common, it effectively sets the stage for explaining a course of action or the evolution of a project. Remember to use it to clarify your original aim, not to describe the final result. Alternatives like "my original aim" or "my primary objective" can be used for variety, but "my initial intention" clearly signals a starting point that may have diverged from the current state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my original aim

Replaces "intention" with "aim", focusing on the goal.

my initial goal

Synonymous substitution with an explicit mention of "goal".

my original purpose

Replaces "intention" with "purpose", highlighting the reason behind the action.

my primary objective

Substitutes "initial intention" with a more formal "primary objective".

I had originally intended

Rephrases to emphasize past intent.

what I originally planned

Shifts the phrasing to focus on the planning aspect.

at first, I intended

Inverts the structure to begin with a time marker.

the first thing I wanted to do

Rephrases as an action-oriented goal.

my early intent

A shorter alternative, replacing "initial intention" with "early intent".

my starting point

Uses a metaphor to indicate the beginning of a process or thought.

FAQs

How can I use "my initial intention" in a sentence?

You can use "my initial intention" to describe a plan or goal you had at the beginning of a project or endeavor. For example, "My initial intention was to complete the project by Friday, but unforeseen circumstances arose".

What are some alternatives to "my initial intention"?

Alternatives include "my original aim", "my primary objective", or "what I originally planned". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify "initial" when discussing intentions?

No, it's not always necessary. Using just "my intention" is fine if you're only referring to a single plan or goal. "Initial intention" is useful when contrasting your original plan with later changes or developments.

What's the difference between "my initial intention" and "my ultimate goal"?

"My initial intention" refers to your starting plan, while "my ultimate goal" refers to the final desired outcome. They may be the same, but often intentions change along the way to achieving the goal.