my original intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"my original intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a plan or goal that someone had before they changed their mind or another factor caused them to alter their course of action. For example, "I wanted to go to school for accounting, but my original intention changed as I developed an interest in art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I've closed it now, as the Coldplay bashing was getting a little excessive and that wasn't my original intention.

Independent

My original intention was to map out my career so far and draft an action plan following the leadership academy.

The New York Times

"This decision was not my original intention nor my intention after the disappointing result in Newtown," she said.

The Guardian

The result sounded like the retreat from battle of a badly wounded army (not my original intention, but curiously evocative all the same).

The New Yorker

My original intention in becoming a cut man was to get a personal perspective on mixed martial arts, one of the world's fastest-growing sports.

The New York Times

My original intention was not to retell the story of the last two millennia, but simply to insert an element that had been left out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I would have wished for a version of my song that could have been truer to my original intentions in writing it: illustrating the utter waste of war while paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those brave young men who fought.

The Guardian - Music

Though Scratch My Back's original intention was to have a companion CD released simultaneously filled with counterpart artists recording Gabriel material, due to various reasons, it wasn't possible to have the second disc out in time.

Huffington Post

I have come to a place in my career where my outcomes are almost always met with the original intention, or lack thereof.

Huffington Post

"People have seen it as a caricature of my face grinning, but that wasn't the original intention".

The New York Times - Arts

Recalling his original intention to go abroad, ZR stated, "My family had difficulties, then I wanted to go abroad to change the living conditions for my family.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my original intention", ensure it's clear what caused the change from the initial plan. Providing context helps the reader understand the evolution of your thoughts or actions.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "my original intention" without explaining how or why it changed. Omitting the reason can leave the reader confused about the narrative's progression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my original intention" functions as a subject complement or part of an adverbial phrase, often introducing a statement of purpose or explanation for a change in direction. Ludwig examples show it being used to preface a revised plan or goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my original intention" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for explaining a prior plan or goal, especially when there's been a change in direction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s suitable for both formal and informal contexts, primarily in news and media and academic settings. To use it effectively, provide clear context about what prompted the shift from the initial intention. Alternatives like "my initial plan" or "my initial goal" can provide similar meaning. Remember to always give context to avoid being confusing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial intention

This alternative emphasizes the starting point of the intention, similar to the original.

my initial plan

The substitution of 'intention' with 'plan' indicates a more concrete set of actions envisioned at the outset.

my initial objective

Replacing 'intention' with 'objective' brings a sense of specific purpose and goal-oriented thinking.

my primary goal

Changing 'intention' to 'goal' shifts the focus to the desired outcome rather than the initial aim.

what I originally wanted to do

This phrase uses a more verbose structure to convey the initial desire or action.

my preliminary purpose

Replacing 'original' with 'preliminary' softens the intent, implying a provisional or preparatory aim.

my former aim

By using 'former' instead of 'original' it directly indicates that the aim is no longer current.

my beginning idea

This option puts more emphasis on the initial thought or concept.

my starting point

This phrase focuses on the place where something began, rather than the aim itself.

my first design

The emphasis is more on planning and execution, rather than on mere intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "my original intention" to explain a change in plans or goals. For instance, "My original intention was to become a doctor, but I later discovered a passion for engineering."

What is a good alternative to "my original intention"?

Alternatives include "my initial plan", "my initial goal", or "what I originally wanted to do" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "my original intention was to"?

While not strictly redundant, consider if "I originally intended to" might be more concise. The best choice depends on the specific flow and emphasis you want in your sentence.

How does "my original intention" differ from "my current intention"?

"My original intention" refers to a past aim, while "my current intention" describes your present objective. Understanding this distinction ensures clarity in explaining your plans.