planned to join

USAGE SUMMARY

"planned to join" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express a future action that someone intends to do. Example: She had always been interested in politics, so she planned to join a political campaign after she graduated from college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I planned to join the SAS reserves.

The Guardian - Books

He planned to join the team today in Chicago.

The New York Times - Sports

He and my father planned to join the circus.

The Guardian - Film

Ms. Thibault-Lecuivre said Mr. Lobo planned to join jihadist fighters in Mali.

The New York Times

He added that his daughter, India, 5, planned to join the hockey team next year.

The New York Times

It originally planned to join the euro in 2009, but that now looks very unlikely.

The Economist

They had planned to join Team Rubicon for a mission in Liberia.

The New York Times

His pregnant wife stayed behind and planned to join him with the baby in Palestine later.

The New York Times

She planned to join her husband there in the fall of 2015.

The New Yorker

Her husband went to drop off his suit and planned to join her in the cleaning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He and his wife, a nurse, had planned to join the Peace Corps.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "planned to join", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject intended to become a part of. Be specific about the group, organization, or activity.

Common error

Avoid using "planning to join" when the action is already completed. Use "planned to join" to indicate a past intention that may or may not have been realized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "planned to join" functions as a verb phrase indicating a prior intention or decision to become a member of or participate in something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "planned to join" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to convey a past intention of becoming a part of something. As Ludwig indicates, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, reflecting its wide applicability. While generally neutral, writers should be mindful of tense consistency and clarity in specifying what was intended to be joined. Remember to be aware of alternatives like "intended to participate" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to participate

Emphasis on the action of taking part, rather than the act of joining an organization.

scheduled to enlist

Implies a formal process of signing up, often for military or similar service.

arranged to merge

Focuses on combining or uniting with something else, typically in a business or organizational context.

prepared to associate

Highlights the readiness to connect or align with a group or cause.

made arrangements to unite

Emphasizes the preparatory steps taken to come together or combine.

aimed to integrate

Suggests a goal of becoming fully incorporated into a system or group.

looked forward to collaborating

Focuses on the anticipation and enjoyment of working together.

set out to incorporate

Highlights the initial intention and effort to include or integrate something.

envisioned being part of

Emphasizes the act of imagining oneself as a member of a group or organization.

contemplated affiliating

Suggests a thoughtful consideration of formally connecting with an organization.

FAQs

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

You can use "planned to join" to describe a past intention to become a member of something, as in "She /s/planned+to+join the soccer team, but she got injured".

What is an alternative to "planned to join"?

Alternatives include "intended to participate", "scheduled to enlist", or "arranged to merge", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "planning to join" instead of "planned to join"?

"Planning to join" indicates a current or future intention, while "planned to join" indicates a past intention. The correct choice depends on the time frame you're referencing.

What's the difference between "planned to join" and "was going to join"?

"Planned to join" implies a more concrete intention or arrangement than "was going to join", which can suggest a less firm plan that may not have been acted upon.