professed intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "professed intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's declared or stated purpose or aim, often in a context where their sincerity or truthfulness may be questioned. Example: "Despite his professed intention to support the community, his actions suggest otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is a pattern that seems certain to continue, given the Koch brothers' professed intention to donate nearly $900 million to the 2016 national campaign.

Huffington Post

President Obama, as part of his professed intention of softening the security state he inherited and enhanced, has revived the idea of a federal shield law.

The New York Times

Small wonder, then, that Harris's professed intention with Ready For The Weekend should be the notion of "stadium dance", which as he describes it – "playing football stadiums with massive riffs, big hands-in-the-air moments" – sounds like a more corporate, corralled version of outdoor raves.

Independent

It is not hard to link this thought with Nishida's professed intention of giving philosophical foundation to the "form of the formless" that lies at the heart of the traditions of the East.

SEP

A consideration in the research undertaken with Yarloop and Alcoa was to understand the intersection between: the town people's calls for social justice; the corporation's professed claims of practicing CSR, and; the government's professed intention of ensuring social sustainability in the conflict situation.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Smutzer has professed his intention to use these strips to produce "detailed taste maps of the tongue surface".

The New Yorker

And Ms. Ansanelli certainly professes no intention of becoming what at American Ballet Theater (where Angel Corella, for example, wins ovations by unleashing pirouettes like a Tasmanian Devil in tights) might be known unapologetically as a star.

The New York Times - Arts

It is through such complex instruments that Congress is able to take ever larger pieces of taxpayers' hides while professing an intention to reduce tax rates.

Forbes

Commonly celibate and universally ascetic, the monastic individual separates himself or herself from society either by living as a hermit or anchorite (religious recluse) or by joining a community (coenobium) of others who profess similar intentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tony Blair laughed off Giridharadas's suggestion that Davos elites, even as they profess good intentions, "broke the modern world," dismissing it as intellectually lazy.

Vice

The current spring collection, called "The Topography of Globalization," would appear to be his most overtly political — although Im professes a different intention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "professed intention" when you want to highlight that an intention has been declared, but there might be a question about its genuineness or execution. It's useful in contexts where skepticism or scrutiny is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "professed intention" in contexts where there is no inherent doubt or skepticism. In neutral situations, phrases like "stated intention" or "declared purpose" might be more appropriate, as "professed intention" subtly implies a question of sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "professed intention" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It describes a stated aim or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "professed intention" is a noun phrase used to describe a stated aim or purpose, often with an underlying implication of doubt or skepticism. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English. Its usage is most common in news and media, with less frequent appearances in science and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, be mindful of the subtle skepticism the phrase conveys and consider more neutral alternatives like "stated aim" or "declared purpose" when appropriate. The expert rating reflects the phrase's grammatical correctness and consistent usage across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stated aim

Focuses on the declared objective or goal.

Declared purpose

Emphasizes the explicit reason or objective.

Avowed intent

Highlights the open and acknowledged nature of the intention.

Expressed desire

Conveys a wish or longing that has been communicated.

Claimed objective

Suggests a goal that has been asserted or maintained, possibly with some doubt.

Publicly stated goal

Emphasizes the open and accessible declaration of the objective.

Articulated plan

Highlights the detailed and formulated nature of the intention.

Represented objective

Suggests the objective as it is presented or portrayed.

Announced ambition

Focuses on a declared aspiration or long-term goal.

Alleged design

Implies a questionable or unproven plan or intention.

FAQs

How can I use "professed intention" in a sentence?

You can use "professed intention" to describe a declared aim or purpose, often when questioning its sincerity. For example: "Despite his professed intention to help, his actions suggested otherwise."

What's a good alternative to "professed intention"?

Alternatives include "stated aim", "declared purpose", or "avowed intent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "professed intention" over "stated intention"?

"Professed intention" is best used when there's a hint of skepticism or doubt about the sincerity behind the intention. "Stated intention" is more neutral and simply indicates a declared aim without implying doubt.

What is the difference between "professed intention" and "alleged design"?

"Professed intention" implies a declared aim that might be questioned, while "alleged design" suggests a plan that is claimed but potentially unfounded or unproven.