the intention was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the intention was" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a statement of purpose that was previously made or intended. Example sentence: "The intention was to increase customer satisfaction, but the results suggested that the program had been ineffective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The intention was subversive détournement.

The New Yorker

The intention was good.

The Guardian - Sport

The intention was never to reset Russia".

The New York Times

"I know what the intention was.

The New York Times

The intention was to kill thousands.

The Economist

But the intention was there".

The New York Times

In theory, the intention was admirable.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The intention was to hurt foreigners.

The Guardian

The intention was a good one.

The Guardian - Business

And whether the intention was there or not, she succeeded.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hu said that the intention was always to open source its efforts.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "the intention was" with a strong verb phrase to clearly articulate the intended action or outcome. For example: "The intention was to improve efficiency" is more direct than "The intention was about efficiency".

Common error

Avoid using "the intention were" when referring to a singular intention. "Intention" is a singular noun, so the correct form is always "the intention was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the intention was" functions as a declarative statement indicating the purpose, aim, or objective behind a specific action or decision. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both successful and unsuccessful plans. This phrase often introduces an explanation of the rationale behind events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Huffington Post

11%

BBC

4%

TechCrunch

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the intention was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to clarify the purpose behind a past action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse contexts. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media and Science, and while highly versatile, careful attention should be paid to maintain subject-verb agreement and ensure clarity regarding whose intention is being discussed. Using alternatives such as "the aim was" or "the purpose was" can add variety while maintaining semantic similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aim was

Replaces "intention" with "aim", focusing on the objective.

the purpose was

Substitutes "intention" with "purpose", emphasizing the reason for an action.

the goal was

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

the objective was

Uses "objective" instead of "intention", stressing a specific target.

the design was

Focuses on the planned structure or arrangement, replacing "intention".

the plan was

Highlights the prearranged course of action, instead of "intention".

it was meant to

Shifts the focus to the expected outcome or action.

the idea was

Emphasizes the initial concept or thought behind an action.

the initial thought was

Highlights the starting point of the process.

the motivation was

Focuses on the driving force or reason behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "the intention was" in a sentence?

Use "the intention was" to explain the purpose or aim behind a past action or decision. For example, "The intention was to kill thousands" or "The intention was to stimulate lending".

What's the difference between "the intention was" and "the intent was"?

Both phrases are nearly synonymous, but "intent" can sometimes carry a stronger legal connotation, while "intention" is more general. In most contexts, they are interchangeable. For example "the intent was clear".

What are some alternatives to "the intention was"?

You can use alternatives like "the aim was", "the purpose was", or "the goal was" to express a similar meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to use "the intention were"?

No, "the intention were" is grammatically incorrect. "Intention" is a singular noun, so it always takes the singular verb "was". The plural form would only be correct if referring to multiple distinct intentions, but even then, rephrasing is usually clearer.