no ill intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no ill intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to clarify that an action or statement was not meant to cause harm or offense. Example: "I want to assure you that my comments were made with no ill intention; I only meant to provide constructive feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It became clear for us that the detained British military men had no ill intention," Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said.

The New York Times

"We hope that the other two will soon be able to prove and provide evidence to the court that they had no ill intention in crossing the border, so that their release can also be secured," Mr. Ahmadinejad told The A.P. on Sept. 19.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fair enough; you doubtless had no ill intentions.

The Guardian

Actually, Snowden appears to be an idealistic young man who had no ill intentions toward his country but who gradually became disillusioned with some of its actions.

The New Yorker

They may have no ill intentions; they're simply out of touch with what life is like for most families.

Huffington Post

I definitely noticed micro-aggressions: the kinds of things that kids would say out of curiosity with no ill intentions but still made me feel different.

Vice

If you are disinclined to take the United States Armed Forces at their word when we promise no ill intentions towards Texas, then perhaps your considerable and vaunted intellectual powers, which once posited the regrowth of hymens as a guard against unauthorized incursions in domestic affairs, could be swayed by incontrovertible fact.

Huffington Post

I never had any ill intentions".

The New York Times

Why should a senior official be so inconsiderate and unrestrained in his speech if he did not have any ill intentions?

The New York Times

Delta blues The Berbers come fighting back Jordan's new king Some fine mourning War, it is Reprints Related items After HusseinFeb 11th 1999 Jordan’s new kingFeb 11th 1999 King HusseinFeb 11th 1999Luckily, because security was very relaxed, neither had any ill intentions.

The Economist

"Does this show good or ill intention?" Iranian oil sales have been reduced by half as a result of the international pressure on Iran, and restrictions on financial transactions and transportation have created many difficulties for Iran's leaders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no ill intention" to clearly communicate the absence of malicious or harmful motives behind an action or statement. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.

Common error

Avoid assuming that stating "no ill intention" automatically absolves responsibility for negative consequences. While the intent may be benign, the impact of actions still needs consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no ill intention" functions as a qualifier or clarification in a sentence. It serves to modify an action or statement, indicating that it was not driven by malicious or harmful motives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aims to assure or clarify the underlying purpose.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no ill intention" is a useful tool for clarifying the motives behind actions or statements, aiming to prevent misunderstandings and foster trust. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its function as a qualifier. While "no ill intention" is relatively rare in usage, it carries a clear meaning, emphasizing the absence of harmful or malicious intent. When using this phrase, remember that stating your intention doesn't negate the impact of your actions; therefore, always consider the potential consequences. Alternatives like "no harmful intent" or "no malicious intent" can provide similar emphasis. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, fitting a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no harmful intent

Emphasizes the absence of intent to cause harm.

no malicious intent

Highlights the lack of deliberate malice.

no bad intention

A simpler, more direct way of stating the absence of negative intent.

no evil intention

Stronger emphasis on the absence of wickedness or evil.

no wrongful intention

Focuses on the absence of intent to do something wrong or illegal.

no sinister motive

Highlights the lack of a hidden, malevolent reason.

no ulterior motive

Focuses on the absence of a hidden, self-serving reason.

without malice

Expresses the action or statement was done without spite or wickedness.

in good faith

Indicates honesty and sincerity in one's actions or intentions.

with good intentions

Highlights the presence of positive or well-meaning intentions, rather than the absence of negative ones.

FAQs

How can I use "no ill intention" in a sentence?

You can use "no ill intention" to clarify that an action was not meant to cause harm. For example, "I want to assure you that my comments were made with "no ill intention"; I only meant to provide constructive feedback."

What can I say instead of "no ill intention"?

Alternatives to "no ill intention" include "no harmful intent", "no malicious intent", or "with good intentions" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always enough to claim "no ill intention"?

While stating "no ill intention" can clarify your motives, it doesn't negate the impact of your actions. Consider the consequences, regardless of your initial intent.

What's the difference between "no ill intention" and "good intentions"?

"No ill intention" emphasizes the absence of negative motives, while "good intentions" highlights the presence of positive ones. The former focuses on avoiding harm, while the latter focuses on achieving a positive outcome.