private intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private intention" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing personal goals, desires, or motivations that are not shared with others. For example, "Her private intention was to pursue a career in art, despite her family's expectations." Alternative expressions include "personal intention" and "individual aim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other presidents have gotten elected on deceptive promises that belie their private intentions or expectations.

The New York Times - Books

Yet, in rereading Susan Sontag's 1964 essay, "Notes on 'Camp,' " it occurred to me that Mr. Armani's recent collections satisfy many of her points, in particular that the audience doesn't need to know the artist's private intentions: "The work tells all".

The New York Times

If implemented, the Law Commission plans would not just weaken cohabitation but destroy it, by turning it, as alleged, into a kind of feeble, inadvertent form of matrimony in which the authorities similarly presume to take sides, assess responsibilities and guess at private intentions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Secret Service "doesn't have access to the private intentions of the individual," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Our private intentions and motivations tend to color how and what we communicate.

Huffington Post

The latter authors suggested that the right TPJ seems to be necessary for understanding "private intentions", whereas the left TPJ may be specifically involved in understanding social intentions [50].

Plosone

In contrast, viewing a scene conveying the private intentions of an agent (e.g. changing a lightbulb to read) showed no significant activation in this region.

Cerebral Cortex

Retained factors were included in a binary logistic regression analysis for each cohort (public/ private) predicting intention to leave.

BMC Health Services Research

We're in touch with the company about its private messaging intentions and will be closely following any plans it might have for the near future.

TechCrunch

We're in touch with the company about its private messaging intentions and will be closely following any plans it might have for the near future.

TechCrunch

What has lingered since then is abiding suspicion — regardless of the name of the program — of public and private-developer intentions in lower-income, minority communities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private intention" when you need to emphasize the distinction between a person's public statements and their actual internal goals. It is particularly effective in narrative writing and political analysis to highlight a contrast in character or strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "private intention" when you actually mean "private interest". An intention is a mental goal or plan, whereas an interest usually refers to a financial stake or a legal right. Using them interchangeably can obscure your meaning in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private intention" serves as a noun phrase composed of the adjective "private" modifying the noun "intention". In a sentence, it typically functions as the direct object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI highlights its role in defining personal motivations that remain unshared with the public or a wider group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "private intention" is a versatile and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the unshared goals of an individual. While the plural form "private intentions" appears more frequently in the search data provided by Ludwig, the singular version is equally valid for identifying a specific undisclosed plan. Ludwig AI demonstrates that this phrase is a staple in high-tier journalism and scientific research, particularly when discussing the discrepancy between public personas and personal motivations. Writers should use it to add nuance to their descriptions of human behavior, ensuring they do not confuse it with related but distinct terms like "private interest" or "hidden agenda" unless the specific connotation of deception is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal goal

More common in self-improvement contexts and lacks the implication of secrecy.

individual aim

Highlights the personhood and focus of the intention without emphasizing privacy.

undisclosed intent

Uses a more formal, legalistic adjective to describe the lack of transparency.

internal motivation

A psychological term focusing on what drives the behavior from within.

hidden motive

Carries a stronger connotation of deception or suspicion.

discreet objective

Implies the intention is kept quiet for professional or diplomatic reasons.

covert ambition

Focuses on the desire for success or power rather than general intentions.

secret plan

Much more informal and emphasizes the tactical aspect rather than the mental state.

inner purpose

Suggests a deeper, perhaps spiritual or existential motivation.

unspoken desire

Focuses on the emotional want rather than the planned action.

FAQs

How do I use "private intention" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe thoughts that aren't shared, such as: "Her "private intention" was to resign, though she continued to work diligently." It often functions as the subject or object of a sentence describing mental states.

What is the difference between "private intention" and "private interest"?

A "private intention" refers to an unexpressed plan or goal, while a "private interest" usually refers to a personal benefit or financial advantage that might influence someone's actions.

Is "private intention" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is considered neutral to formal. It is frequently found in reliable news sources like The New York Times and academic journals such as PlosOne to analyze human behavior and decision-making.

What can I say instead of "private intention"?

Depending on your context, you might use "personal goal" for a positive tone, "hidden motive" if there is suspicion, or "undisclosed aim" for a more clinical description.