planned to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "planned to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an intention or arrangement to carry out a specific action in the future. Example: "She had planned to do her homework before going out with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Had he planned to do it?

The New Yorker

I planned to do the same.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry planned to do the same.

The New York Times

They planned to do a little fishing.

The New York Times - Travel

They planned to do it again today.

The New York Times

'I hadn't planned to do it.

The Guardian

He planned to do it this summer.

The New York Times

Lara wondered what her landlady planned to do with it.

The New Yorker

Mr. Potter said he planned to do the work himself.

The New York Times - Arts

I asked them what they planned to do in Europe.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We had already planned to do more.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "planned to do", ensure that the context clearly indicates who made the plan and when it was made. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "planned to do" without specifying the timeframe. For example, instead of saying "They planned to do it", specify when: "They planned to do it next week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "planned to do" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an intention or arrangement to perform a specific action. Examples from Ludwig confirm its use in various contexts to express future actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "planned to do" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an intention or arrangement to carry out an action. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it is helpful to specify the timeframe for clarity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is well-established and widely used, reinforcing its acceptability in formal and informal writing. Alternatives include "intended to perform", "scheduled to execute", and "meant to accomplish", offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to perform

Replaces "planned" with "intended", implying a less formal or definite intention.

scheduled to execute

Replaces "planned to do" with a more formal and structured alternative.

meant to accomplish

Suggests a purpose or goal behind the action, replacing "do" with "accomplish".

set out to achieve

Emphasizes the beginning of an effort toward a goal, replacing "planned to do".

aimed to undertake

Presents a more aspirational tone, suggesting a deliberate choice of action.

proposed to carry out

Highlights a formal suggestion or proposition for action.

envisaged doing

Focuses on a mental image or expectation of performing the action.

contemplated undertaking

Implies a thoughtful consideration before intending to act, making it less committal.

had in mind to perform

Expresses a prior notion or intention, placing emphasis on the idea itself.

thought to execute

Expresses initial consideration to perform an action, making it less committal.

FAQs

How can I use "planned to do" in a sentence?

Use "planned to do" to express an intention or arrangement to perform an action. For example, "She "planned to do" her homework before going out".

What are some alternatives to "planned to do"?

You can use alternatives like "intended to perform", "scheduled to execute", or "meant to accomplish" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify a timeframe when using "planned to do"?

While not always mandatory, specifying a timeframe when using "planned to do" provides clarity. For instance, saying "They "planned to do" it this summer" is more informative than simply saying "They "planned to do" it".

What is the difference between ""planned to do"" and "intended to perform"?

While both phrases express an intention, ""planned to do"" suggests a more concrete arrangement, whereas "intended to perform" implies a more general intention.