state your intent

USAGE SUMMARY

"state your intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to let someone know that you need them to clarify a decision or action they are taking. For example, you could say, "Please state your intent so that we can be sure to move forward in a clear and positive direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Writing (e.g., cover letters, essays, petitions)

Formal declarations (e.g., legal documents, appeals)

Clarifying purpose (e.g., customer service, search queries)

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A site called stickk.com lets you state your intent, identify a referee who can verify whether you hit your mark and pay penalties if you don't succeed.

The New York Times

1. State your intent, or what you are expected to do and why. 2. Revise it in the context of your company's situation.

Harvard Business Review

To assure your gift is credited to the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for the purpose that you wish, please state your intent in the Questions/Comments area of the online form.

Cornell University

The steps are (1) state your intent, or what you are expected to do and why, (2) revise it in the context of your company's situation, (3) determine which measures best indicate whether you're achieving your goal, (4) define the tasks implied by your intent, and (5) define the boundaries, or constraints, that limit your team.

Harvard Business Review

Make sure you do this in a non-demeaning way, but rather state your intent.

Forbes

The contract of the search engine with the user is this: you state your intent as search keywords, and it returns links to matching information sources.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

By the time you are finished with your cover letter, you should have a short introductory paragraph, stating your intent (i.e. "I'm writing to you today to formally apply for the XYZ position at ABC company"), followed by 2-3 paragraphighlightinging the skills you have that the company specifically needs or requested.

Yale University

Face stereotypes head on by directly stating your intent as well as your emotions.

Forbes

One, is you could just use more natural queries, just stating your intent as you actually mean it.

TechCrunch

This is not because you absolutely have to have them if you are going to have a workout, but they're crucial for stating your intent.

HuffPost

For example, Garifuna who live along the Honduran North Coast are being dispossessed of their land by a state intent on creating a business-friendly environment for foreign developers.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In customer service contexts, use "state your intent" to encourage customers to clearly articulate their needs, leading to more effective problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid leaving the intent ambiguous after using the phrase. Always follow up with a detailed explanation of what the intent is and how it will be achieved. For example, instead of just "state your intent", write "state your intent and provide the reasoning behind it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "state your intent" functions as an imperative, prompting someone to clearly articulate their purpose or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase's grammatical function is to request a declaration of purpose, often in situations requiring clarity and directness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "state your intent" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that prompts clarity and understanding by requesting a declaration of purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase helps in ensuring clarity when specific purposes or objectives must be conveyed. The analysis reveals that while it is not exceptionally frequent, it appears in a range of formal and informal contexts, predominantly within news and media, academic, and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, follow up with a detailed explanation of the intent to prevent any ambiguity. Alternatives include "express your intention" or "declare your purpose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express your intention

Replaces "state" with "express", focusing on the act of conveying the intention.

declare your purpose

Substitutes "intent" with "purpose", emphasizing the reason for doing something, and "state" with "declare", giving the phrase a more formal tone.

articulate your objective

Replaces "state" with "articulate", highlighting clarity and precision in expressing the objective.

clarify your aim

Focuses on making the "aim" clear, often implying a need to remove ambiguity.

make your intentions known

Shifts the focus to publicizing the intentions, making them widely understood.

specify your goal

Emphasizes the precise nature of the "goal" being communicated.

outline your plan

Replaces "intent" with "plan", suggesting a more detailed and structured approach.

disclose your motivation

Focuses on revealing the underlying reasons or driving forces behind an action.

announce your objective

Emphasizes the act of formally declaring or making public the objective.

divulge your design

Highlights the revealing of a secret or hidden plan, adding a layer of intrigue.

FAQs

How can I use "state your intent" in a sentence?

You can use "state your intent" when you need someone to clearly express their purpose or plan. For example, "Please state your intent for this project so we can align our efforts".

What are some alternatives to "state your intent"?

Alternatives include phrases like "express your intention", "declare your purpose", or "articulate your objective". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys the same basic idea of clarifying one's aim. You can also consider alternatives such as "clarify your aim" or "make your intentions known".

Is it better to "state your intent" or "express your intent"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "State your intent" is slightly more formal, while "express your intent" might feel a bit more conversational. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone. You may also consider "divulge your design".

In what situations is it appropriate to ask someone to "state your intent"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "state your intent" in situations where clarity is needed, such as during project planning, legal proceedings, customer service interactions, or when making formal requests or declarations. The opposite can be achieved by using "express your intention".