pure intention

USAGE SUMMARY

'pure intention' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your good intentions, i.e., having no ulterior motives. For example, "My pure intention is to help those in need".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But she does everything with a pure intention".

Independent

"It's all just pure intention and pure energy".

The New York Times

The late Justice Scalia's pretense was that "originalism," a doctrine of tracking pure intention alone, could absolve judges from ideology — but, of course, as has been pointed out countless times, the original intentions he found almost always conformed precisely to the prejudices and passion of a right-wing Catholic Republican of the twenty-first century.

The New Yorker

Surely, then, pure intention is not enough; certain actions must be pleasing in themselves.

SEP

It is thus no accident that Wilson (1989, pp. 222 30) is led to deny the possibility of pure intention.

SEP

All the indications are that Priest rejects such a view: "an act of pure intention can intend an object even when there are other indiscriminable objects" (2005:142005

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I really don't know what this record will bring, but it was done with pure intentions and no negativity.

The Guardian - Music

The women wore white, symbolising pure intentions, and carried gladioli, a single stem each.Yet politics crept in.

The Economist

You could say that Gladys had pure intentions, but Tony didn't seem to have that cover.

The New York Times

Mr. Kadyrov makes no effort to look friendly in the images that glare from the sides of ruined buildings beside the slogan, "Kadyrov -- pure intentions, strong government".

The New York Times

Co-directed with past collaborator Nick Knight, the video, as first shown on The Ellen Show, begins with pure intentions but soon descends into sexual surrealism.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pure intention" to emphasize sincerity and lack of ulterior motives in actions or decisions. For example, when describing charitable work or creative endeavors, highlighting the "pure intention" can add credibility and emotional depth.

Common error

Avoid using "pure intention" ironically or sarcastically, as it can undermine its meaning and confuse your audience. The phrase is most effective when genuinely conveying sincerity, so use it carefully in situations where doubt or cynicism might be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pure intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "pure" modifies the noun "intention". It is used to describe the quality or nature of someone's purpose or motive, emphasizing sincerity and the absence of ulterior motives, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

25%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pure intention" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies sincerity and the absence of ulterior motives. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for written English and conveys good intentions. While its frequency is common across diverse sources such as News & Media and scientific domains, it’s essential to avoid ironic use and ensure context alignment to maintain clarity. Synonyms like "genuine motive" and "sincere purpose" offer alternative ways to express this concept, each with subtle nuances. Remember to highlight the sincerity and lack of self-interest when you use the expression to connect better with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine motive

Focuses on the authenticity of the driving force behind an action.

sincere purpose

Emphasizes the earnestness and honesty of the aim.

honest aim

Highlights the lack of deceit in the objective.

unadulterated motive

Implies the motive is in its original, untouched state, without any negative additions.

altruistic goal

Suggests a selfless objective focused on the well-being of others.

noble cause

Implies that the goal is morally good and worthy of admiration.

selfless ambition

Highlights the ambition is not for personal gain, but for the good of others.

principled objective

Highlights the objective is based on strong moral principles.

upright motive

Emphasizes the moral rectitude and honesty of the underlying reason.

disinterested purpose

Highlights impartiality and lack of self-interest in the intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "pure intention" to describe actions or motivations that are sincere and without ulterior motives. For example, "She volunteered with "pure intention" to help the homeless."

What are some synonyms for "pure intention"?

Alternatives to "pure intention" include "genuine motive", "sincere purpose", or "honest aim", each emphasizing sincerity and lack of deceit.

Is it always positive to have a "pure intention"?

While generally positive, "pure intention" alone may not guarantee a good outcome. Actions still need to be well-considered and effective. As Ludwig's examples show, even "pure intentions" can have unintended consequences.

What's the difference between "pure intention" and "good intention"?

"Pure intention" emphasizes the complete absence of selfish or ulterior motives, while "good intention" suggests a generally positive aim, even if mixed with some self-interest. "Pure intention" is a stronger statement of sincerity.