not intending to

USAGE SUMMARY

"not intending to" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express your lack of intention to do something. For example, "I wasn't intending to hurt your feelings, I just wanted to give you honest feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was not intending to be offensive.

Independent

The Corps was not intending to accommodate nature.

The New Yorker

"I was not intending to dehumanise," he added.

The Guardian

I was not intending to dehumanise," he said.

The Guardian

procedures to foreign aircraft not intending to enter U.S. national airspace," he said.

The New York Times

But BCG is not intending to set up a separate government practice.

The Economist

Lim's spokesperson stressed he was not intending to develop a business in TPO.

The Guardian - Sport

So the Romney campaign is not intending to make an assertion.

The New York Times

For employees not intending to return to work, statutory basic pay throughout.

The Guardian - Money

"I'm not starting a political party and am not intending to run in any elections.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The average age of those intending to breastfeed was 26.3 compared to 24.9 for those not intending to breastfeed.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not intending to", ensure the context clearly defines what action or outcome is not intended. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "not intending to" excuses unintended consequences. While you may not have planned a specific outcome, you may still bear responsibility for the results of your actions. Be sure to clarify what was intended versus what actually happened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not intending to" functions as a negative purpose clause, indicating a lack of intention or a specific goal. Ludwig's examples show it used to express the absence of a plan, desire, or aim to perform a certain action. It modifies verbs and actions by specifying what was not meant to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not intending to" is a versatile phrase used to negate intent, clarifying that an action or outcome was not planned or desired. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the action you are negating the intent for, and be mindful that a lack of intent does not necessarily absolve you of responsibility for unintended consequences. Consider using alternatives like "not planning to" or "not meaning to" for subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not planning to

Focuses on the absence of a plan or pre-arrangement.

not meaning to

Emphasizes the lack of intent or desire to perform an action.

without intending to

Highlights that the action occurred unintentionally.

not aiming to

Indicates the absence of a specific goal or objective.

not proposing to

Suggests the absence of a formal proposal or suggestion.

not seeking to

Emphasizes the lack of effort or pursuit towards a specific outcome.

not wishing to

Highlights the absence of a desire or inclination.

not desiring to

Similar to wishing, but can imply a stronger sense of aversion.

not endeavoring to

Suggests a lack of dedicated effort or striving towards a goal.

not looking to

Indicates a lack of interest or active search for something.

FAQs

How can I use "not intending to" in a sentence?

You can use "not intending to" to express a lack of intention to perform a particular action. For example, "I was "not intending to" cause any trouble" or "The company is "not intending to" raise prices this year."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "not intending to"?

Some alternatives to "not intending to" include "not planning to", "not meaning to", or "without intending to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not intending to" or "not meaning to"?

Both "not intending to" and "not meaning to" are correct, but they can have slightly different nuances. "Not intending to" focuses more on the lack of a plan or deliberate action, while "not meaning to" emphasizes the lack of desire or wish to cause something. The choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "not intending to" and "unintentionally"?

"Not intending to" describes a state of mind before an action, indicating a lack of purpose or plan. "Unintentionally" describes how an action was performed or how a result occurred. For example, "I was "not intending to" delete the file, but I did it unintentionally."