sole intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the only purpose or objective of an action is a specific intention. Example: "The company was established with the sole intent of providing affordable housing to low-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves".

The New York Times - Arts

"Now many of them come with the sole intent of shopping".

The New York Times - Style

Mr. Robert said his sole intent was to call attention to global warming.

The New York Times

They knowingly let people hand over their hard-earned cash in good faith, with the sole intent of stealing it.

The Guardian - Money

Yet trying to raise the likability meter seemed to be the sole intent of the buildup to the Romney kicker.

The New York Times

worldwrestlingfederation.com with the sole intent of trying to resell it to the organization at a "substantial profit".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"We aren't intimidated by the lawsuits," says co-founder Ariel Diaz, "as their sole purpose seems intent on stifling innovation from edtech startups like ours".

TechCrunch

Still, as the sole reader intent on earning his living, I'd be inclined to hire him to mix me a Zombie.

The New Yorker

It seems clear that Mr. Lukashenko, Europe's sole remaining dictator, is intent on tightening his grip on Belarus.

The New York Times

Its intent is solely bellicose and intended to dominate for the sole sake of winning.

Huffington Post

Taking this approach would have served to clearly demarcate the space available for free speech, something which the sole reliance on the – inherently subjective – element of intent fails to do.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole intent", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates that there are no other influencing factors or purposes behind the action being described. This strengthens the emphasis on the singular objective.

Common error

Avoid using "sole intent" when multiple intentions are present, even if one is dominant. This weakens the phrase's impact and introduces ambiguity. If other factors are at play, consider phrases like "primary intent" or "main purpose" to better reflect the multifaceted nature of the motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole intent" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It specifies a singular, unique purpose behind an action or decision, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole intent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that emphasizes the singular purpose behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and is most commonly found in news and media sources. When using "sole intent", it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly demonstrates a single, exclusive motive. While synonyms like "exclusive intention" and "single purpose" can be used, "sole intent" provides a strong and unambiguous way to highlight a unique objective. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is fit for writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive intention

Replaces "sole" with "exclusive", emphasizing the uniqueness of the purpose.

only intention

Uses "only" instead of "sole", providing a more direct synonym.

single purpose

Shifts from "intent" to "purpose", focusing on the objective rather than the mental state.

primary goal

Replaces "intent" with "goal", highlighting the desired outcome.

main objective

Substitutes "intent" with "objective", stressing the strategic aim.

chief aim

Replaces "sole intent" with a more concise expression of the primary objective.

principal aim

Uses "principal" to denote the most important aim or goal.

underlying motive

Focuses on the reason behind the action rather than the stated intent.

driving force

Emphasizes the power and influence of the intent behind an action.

overriding concern

Highlights the intent as the most significant concern or priority.

FAQs

How can I use "sole intent" in a sentence?

You can use "sole intent" to emphasize that something is done with only one purpose. For example, "The project was launched with the "sole intent" of improving community relations".

What phrases can I use instead of "sole intent"?

Alternatives to "sole intent" include "exclusive intention", "single purpose", or "primary goal" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "sole and only intent"?

Yes, using both "sole" and "only" is redundant because they both convey the same meaning of singleness or exclusiveness. Sticking with just "sole intent" is more concise and grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "sole intent" and "main intent"?

"Sole intent" implies there is only one purpose, whereas "main intent" suggests that there might be other intentions, but one is more significant. For example, if someone acts with "sole intent", there are no other contributing motivations; however, if their "main intent" is one thing, other minor intentions could also be present.