planning to

USAGE SUMMARY

"planning to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an intention to do something in the future. For example: "I am planning to take a vacation next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bayer is planning to appeal.

The Economist

But he's planning to learn.

The New York Times

Are you planning to vote?

The New York Times

"Are you planning to stay?

The New Yorker

(Neither is planning to convert).

The New York Times

Are you planning to explore that possibility?

The New York Times

Was he planning to leave anyway?

The Economist

Are you still planning to make it?

The New York Times

Laurie is planning to change that.

The New York Times

Not that you were planning to anyway.

The New York Times

This year, they're planning to visit China.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "planning to" to clearly express intentions for future actions. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a straightforward way to communicate your plans.

Common error

In highly formal contexts, avoid overuse of "planning to". Opt for stronger verbs or more nuanced phrases that convey intention with greater precision, enhancing the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "planning to" functions as a verb phrase indicating an intention or future action. It links a subject with their anticipated behavior or activity, as shown in examples from Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "planning to" is a versatile and common way to express future intentions across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal settings. The examples show it’s prevalent in news, media, and general writing. While suitable for most situations, in highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives to enhance precision. Overall, "planning to" offers a straightforward and effective means of communicating future plans.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to

A more casual and common way to express future intentions.

intending to

Emphasizes a firm intention or resolve to perform an action.

aiming to

Suggests a specific goal or objective is being pursued.

expecting to

Implies an anticipation or belief that something will happen.

preparing to

Focuses on the steps taken to get ready for a future event.

getting ready to

Similar to "preparing to", but often used in a more informal context.

about to

Indicates that an action is imminent or will happen very soon.

proposing to

Suggests a formal plan or suggestion for future action.

seeking to

Highlights the effort and determination involved in achieving a goal.

looking to

Implies an exploration of possibilities or options for future actions.

FAQs

How do I use "planning to" in a sentence?

You can use "planning to" to express future intentions, like "I am planning to travel next year" or "She is planning to study abroad".

What are some alternatives to "planning to"?

Alternatives include "intending to", "aiming to", or "expecting to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "plan on" instead of "planning to"?

"Plan on" is also correct, but it's often followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), for example, "I plan on traveling". "Planning to" is followed by the base form of the verb, such as "I'm planning to travel".

What's the difference between "planning to" and "going to"?

Both express future intentions, but "going to" can also indicate a spontaneous decision or a prediction based on current evidence. "Planning to" generally implies a more deliberate and considered intention.