this was intentional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was intentional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to clarify that an action or decision was done on purpose, rather than by accident. Example: "When I chose that color for the design, I want to emphasize that this was intentional to convey a specific mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Unlike Fairey, this was intentional appropriation, but unlike Levine, the intent was not exactly clear.

Huffington Post

This was intentional.

The New York Times

I don't think this was intentional.

The Guardian - Music

How much of all this was intentional?

The Guardian

"This was intentional fraud on a massive scale".

The Guardian - Business

If this was intentional, this piece is more poetry than prose.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is intentional.

The New York Times

I hope this is intentional.

The New York Times

And sometimes this is intentional.

The New York Times - Food

This is intentional, he says.

The New York Times

No doubt this is intentional.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was intentional" to clearly communicate that an action or decision was made deliberately, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "this was intentional" excessively in casual conversations. Opt for more natural alternatives like "I did it on purpose" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was intentional" functions as a statement clarifying that an action or outcome occurred deliberately rather than accidentally. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm its role in emphasizing purpose and conscious decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was intentional" serves to clearly indicate that an action was carried out deliberately rather than accidentally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media, but also in scientific and formal contexts. While alternatives like "this was deliberate" or "this was planned" exist, "this was intentional" provides a straightforward and widely accepted means of conveying purpose and conscious decision-making. It's best practice is to use the expression to remove ambiguity. Therefore, avoid overuse in informal setting, if you need to convey the meaning in a conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was deliberate

Replaces "intentional" with "deliberate", emphasizing the careful consideration behind the action.

this was purposefully done

Similar to "intentional" but emphasizes the reason or goal behind the action.

this was by design

Emphasizes that the outcome was specifically engineered or created.

this was planned

Focuses on the pre-arranged nature of the action, highlighting the planning stage.

this was consciously done

Highlights the awareness and intent behind the action.

this was on purpose

A more informal way of saying "this was intentional", suitable for casual conversation.

this was calculated

Suggests that the action was carefully considered to achieve a specific result.

this was premeditated

Implies a higher degree of planning and forethought, often in a legal context.

this was strategically done

Indicates the action was part of a larger plan to achieve a strategic goal.

this was knowingly done

Highlights the actor's awareness of the implications of the action.

FAQs

What does "this was intentional" mean?

The phrase "this was intentional" means that something was done on purpose, deliberately, and not by accident. It indicates a conscious decision or plan was behind the action.

What can I say instead of "this was intentional"?

You can use alternatives like "this was deliberate", "this was planned", or "this was on purpose" depending on the context.

How can I use "this was intentional" in a sentence?

You can use "this was intentional" to clarify that an action was not accidental. For example, "The exclusion of that data point was not an oversight; this was intentional to highlight a specific trend."

Is "this was intentional" formal or informal?

While usable in both formal and informal contexts, "this was intentional" leans towards a more neutral or slightly formal tone. In very informal settings, phrases like "I did it on purpose" might be more appropriate.