my only intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my only intention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to clarify that you have a singular purpose or goal in a particular context. Example: "I want to make it clear that my only intention is to help you succeed in this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My only intention is to manage this process successfully".

The New York Times

"At that time my only intention was to get away" from the car, Officer Lora said.

The New York Times

My only intention would have been to reassure him that I had to come off.

The Guardian - Sport

"My only intention was to find out if any of Jas Robbins' descendants could shed light on him," says Mark Curtis.

Independent

"My only intention is to secure a better leader for the Labour party and to give us some chance of winning the next general election.

The Guardian

I told myself when I began Tony Hogan that my only intention was to write the story I wanted, perhaps needed, to write.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Today I can see that my random flights of inspiration sometimes need not only intention but also attention.

Huffington Post

But if your only intention is to provoke, then you've failed".

The Guardian - Books

Their only intention was to declare bankruptcy and sell the factory's 40 acres.

The New York Times

These illegal websites are run by charlatans whose only intention is to make a quick profit.

Independent

"The only intention we have is to weaken the forces that have occupied our country and to regain our sovereignty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my only intention" to clearly and directly communicate a singular focus or purpose, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "my only intention" excessively in a single piece of writing; vary your language by using alternatives like "my primary goal" or "my main objective" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my only intention" functions as a subject complement providing specific information about the speaker's aim or purpose. It serves to clarify and emphasize a singular objective, ruling out other possible motivations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Huffington Post

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

The New Yorker

5%

The Guardian

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my only intention" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a singular objective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to clarify the speaker's aim, removing any ambiguity. While adaptable across different contexts, it's most frequently encountered in news and media sources. To avoid overuse, consider varying your language with alternatives like "my sole purpose" or "my primary intention". Understanding the communicative purpose and appropriate contexts ensures effective and engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my sole intention

Replaces "only" with "sole", emphasizing exclusivity of the intention.

my primary intention

Substitutes "only" with "primary", indicating the main but not necessarily exclusive intention.

my main objective

Replaces "intention" with "objective", focusing on the goal to be achieved.

my sole purpose

Replaces "intention" with "purpose", highlighting the reason for doing something.

my one aim

Replaces "only intention" with "one aim", simplifying the expression.

my single goal

Substitutes "intention" with "goal", emphasizing the desired outcome.

my sincere intention

Adds "sincere" to modify "intention", highlighting honesty.

my true intention

Emphasizes the genuineness of the intention by adding "true".

my express intention

Replaces "only" with "express", highlighting the clarity and explicitness of the intention.

my driving force

Shifts from intention to the underlying motivation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "my only intention" is used to express a single, overriding purpose. For example, "My only intention is to help you succeed" indicates that the speaker's sole aim is to support the other person's success.

What are some alternatives to "my only intention"?

You can use alternatives like "my sole purpose", "my primary intention", or "my main objective" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "my only intention" or "my sole intention"?

Both "my only intention" and "my sole intention" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference, although "sole" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "my intention" and "my only intention"?

"My intention" indicates a purpose or aim, while "my only intention" specifies that there is just one purpose and no other secondary aims. The addition of "only" emphasizes the singularity of the goal.