vague intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"vague intention" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a goal, plan, or idea that is not very clear or well-defined. For example, "She had a vague intention to save up for a car, although she didn't know when it would happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Few of these have enough staff to check claims of residency or the more vague "intention to remain".

The Economist

An invitation has also been extended to Patricia's estranged husband, who appears to have expressed the vague intention of coming.

The Guardian - Film

For me, it took my vague intention to find a restaurant there that I could review, and turned it into a priority.

The New York Times

This is merely helping to translate a vague intention into a firm commitment.In fact, Mr Horn's real problem may not be Big Brother but Little Money.

The Economist

A few of the lesser characters do possess traits that might have been mined for humor but instead are allowed to stand as signifiers of a vague intention to be funny.

The New York Times

In 1956 she began course work at the Graduate Library School with the vague intention of becoming a medical librarian, took a children's literature course on a whim and was soon asked to take over The Bulletin temporarily.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The rest was vague intentions: to help more people buy homes; to take back control over borders and decisions; to take people's concerns seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

Returning to America with a trunkful of English clothes, "a book-length essay on ethics," a (secret) young wife and vague intentions of becoming a businessman, the 26-year-old Steffens was stunned to receive a letter from his father with a hundred dollars and an order "to stay in New York and hustle" until he learned the "practical side" of life.

The New York Times - Books

It's also filled with doubt about the actual impact of such groups, the vague intentions and confused methods that follow on those commitments, the violent distortions that those commitments can yield, and the fear of the destructive energies unleashed by the stretching and breaking of group ties.

The New Yorker

In the case of the government's still vague intentions on tax reform, the treasurer, Scott Morrison, says the problem is inadequate economic growth and, in particular, the impact on growth of inflation pushing wages into higher income tax brackets, so-called "bracket creep".

The Guardian

NCDA described an earlier version of the negotiated document as a play-by-play of these solid commitments being "systematically deleted, diluted and downgraded" and replaced with "vague intentions to "consider" and "work towards," according to a 16 August letter from NCDA to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's plans, use "vague intention" to indicate that they haven't fully committed to or clarified their goal.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "vague intention" implies dishonesty or ill will. It simply means the person hasn't fully formed their plan, not that they are being deceptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vague intention" functions as a noun phrase, where "vague" modifies the noun "intention". It describes the quality of the intention, indicating its lack of clarity or definition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vague intention" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a plan or goal that lacks clarity or specific details. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to communicate uncertainty or a lack of commitment regarding future actions. While alternatives exist, such as "ill-defined purpose" or "unclear objective", "vague intention" effectively conveys the idea of an undefined goal. When using this phrase, ensure you're not implying malice, but rather highlighting a lack of concrete planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-defined purpose

Changes "vague intention" to emphasize the lack of clear definition in the purpose.

unclear objective

Replaces "intention" with "objective" to highlight the lack of clarity in the goal.

nebulous aim

Substitutes "vague" with "nebulous" and "intention" with "aim", both suggesting a lack of distinctness.

fuzzy plan

Uses "fuzzy" instead of "vague" and "plan" for "intention", making the idea more informal.

undefined goal

Emphasizes the absence of a defined goal rather than a clear intention.

imprecise design

Replaces intention with design emphasizing lack of precision.

ambiguous target

Uses ambiguous to indicate an unclear target instead of intention.

tenuous objective

Emphasizes the weakness or lack of substance in the objective.

general idea

Suggests a broad, non-specific concept rather than a concrete intention.

rough concept

Implies a preliminary or undeveloped idea, lacking detail.

FAQs

How can I use "vague intention" in a sentence?

You can use "vague intention" to describe a plan or goal that is not clearly defined. For example, "He had a "vague intention" of traveling, but no specific destination in mind."

What's a good alternative to "vague intention"?

Alternatives to "vague intention" include "ill-defined purpose", "unclear objective", or "nebulous aim" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have a "vague intention" or no intention at all?

While a "vague intention" lacks clarity, it at least indicates a direction or inclination. Having some intention, even if undefined, can be a starting point for developing a more concrete plan.

When is it appropriate to use the term "vague intention"?

Use "vague intention" when you want to emphasize the lack of clarity or specificity in someone's plans or goals. It's appropriate when the details are undefined or the person is still exploring possibilities.