their intent

USAGE SUMMARY

"their intent" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the purpose or goal of an action, or to describe what someone is trying to do. For example: "Although it was hard to tell, their intent seemed to be to undermine their competitor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their intent?

The Guardian - Opinion

That is not their intent".

The New York Times - Sports

Their intent, however, is unclear.

The New York Times

She amplifies their intent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their intent was to reduce corruption.

The New Yorker

"That was their intent," she said.

Independent

So what is their intent?

Princeton University

Their intent has been emphasised.

The Guardian - Sport

What is their intent there?

The New Yorker

They've made their intent very explicit".

The New York Times

"Non-lethal are defined by their intent".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their intent", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, specify "the company's intent" instead of just "their intent" if the subject is unclear.

Common error

Avoid assuming you definitively know "their intent" without sufficient evidence; instead, present it as an interpretation or hypothesis based on available information. Using phrases like "It appears their intent was..." acknowledges the subjective nature of understanding intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their intent" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the underlying purpose or objective driving a group's actions. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their intent" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the purpose or motivation behind a group's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to clearly defining who "they" refers to, and avoiding assumptions about intent without sufficient evidence. Alternative phrases such as "their purpose" or "their objective" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. The high frequency and clear meaning of "their intent" make it a reliable and effective phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their purpose

Replaces "intent" with "purpose", emphasizing the reason for doing something.

their objective

Substitutes "intent" with "objective", highlighting a specific goal to be achieved.

their aim

Replaces "intent" with "aim", focusing on the target or desired outcome.

their motivation

Changes the focus to the driving force or reason behind their actions.

the reason for their actions

Rephrases the concept to explicitly state the cause of their behavior.

what they are trying to achieve

Explains "their intent" by describing the end result they are working toward.

their goal

Focuses on the desired outcome, using a more general term than "intent".

their plan

Highlights the planned actions to fulfill "their intent".

their desired outcome

Focuses on the end result they are hoping to achieve.

their rationale

Emphasizes the reasoning and justification behind their actions.

FAQs

What does "their intent" mean?

"Their intent" refers to the purpose, aim, or objective that a group or multiple people have when taking a particular action or making a decision. It describes what they are trying to achieve or accomplish.

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

You can use "their intent" in a sentence to explain the motivations behind someone's actions. For example: "Their intent was to improve the company's reputation."

What are some alternative phrases to "their intent"?

Some alternative phrases to "their intent" include "their purpose", "their objective", or "their aim". All of these options refer to the reason behind their actions.

Is it better to say "their intent" or "their intention"?

Both "their intent" and "their intention" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. However, "intent" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of deliberate action, while "intention" can sometimes refer to a more general aim or desire.