Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
plans for having
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"plans for having" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing intentions or arrangements related to future events or situations. Example: "We have plans for having a meeting next week." Alternative expressions include "plans to have" and "intentions for having."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
And in February 1975 the plans for having the library where President Kennedy would have wanted it, were dropped.
Wiki
In two of these dyads, the mothers' continued smoking was the source of couple conflict, and both fathers used coercion to persuade their wives to quit, threatening plans for having a second child were conditional on the complete elimination of smoking.
Science
Women who have been attempting to fall pregnant for a long period of time or who receive IVF treatment deal with two types of stressors: the chronic stress resulting from the threat of definitive infertility and the loss of future plans for having children, and the acute stress resulting from IVF treatment itself [ 1, 2].
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
Mr Fatah said he believed women should plan for having implants removed.
News & Media
Make a game plan for having an even more amazing second day of school.
Wiki
Plans for expansion have been deferred.
News & Media
In particular, plans for investment have been cut back.
News & Media
Since then, various plans for redevelopment have come and gone.
News & Media
The rebuilding plans for Sur have yet to be released.
News & Media
Heathrow's plans for expansion have also gone on display.
News & Media
If you don't have travel plans for 2015, you've got time to plan.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In most journalistic and business writing, prefer the more concise "plans to have" if the sentence feels too wordy.
Common error
Avoid using "plans for having" when the subject is performing a simple, one-time future action. For instance, 'He plans for having a coffee' sounds unnatural compared to 'He plans to have a coffee'. Reserve the gerund form for broader organizational or conceptual contexts.
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "plans for having" functions as a complex noun phrase where the head noun 'plans' is modified by a prepositional phrase ('for having'). In this structure, 'having' acts as a gerund, providing a substantive link between the intent and the action. According to Ludwig, this construction allows for the inclusion of complex direct objects following the gerund.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Science
15%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Social Media
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In conclusion, "plans for having" is a legitimate and grammatically correct English phrase used to denote future intentions or structured arrangements. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is less frequent than the infinitive alternative ""plans to have"", it remains a staple in high-quality journalism and academic writing. It is particularly effective when discussing institutional goals, medical studies or large-scale redevelopments. When using this phrase, writers should ensure that the gerund 'having' is followed by a clear direct object to maintain sentence flow. Overall, it is a versatile tool for formal and professional contexts where clarity of intent is paramount.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
plans to have
Uses the infinitive form, which is often more concise and direct in active sentences.
arrangements for having
Suggests that specific logistical steps have already been taken.
intentions of having
Focuses more on the desire or will of the subject rather than concrete logistics.
proposals for having
Implies a formal suggestion or a plan awaiting approval.
preparations for having
Focuses on the preliminary actions leading up to the event.
strategy for having
Adds a layer of complexity or long-term methodology to the intention.
ideas for having
Much less formal and suggests the plan is still in the conceptual stage.
agenda for having
Common in business contexts where items are scheduled for discussion.
roadmap for having
A metaphorical term used for strategic planning and sequence.
blueprints for having
Often used for physical or highly structured technical projects.
FAQs
How to use "plans for having" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe an arrangement for a future event, such as "The committee finalized its "plans for having" the gala at the local museum."
What can I say instead of "plans for having"?
Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like ""plans to have"", "intentions for having", or "arrangements to host".
Which is correct, "plans for having" or "plans to have"?
Both are grammatically correct. ""plans to have"" is generally more common and direct, whereas "plans for having" is often found in formal documentation or when discussing long-term strategies.
Is "plans for having" too formal?
It is not overly formal, but it is less common in casual conversation. In everyday speech, most people would simply say "planning to have".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested