was intended

USAGE SUMMARY

"was intended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was planned or meant to happen. For example, "The decision to stay home was intended to keep everyone safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No offence was intended".

The Guardian

"No offense was intended.

The New York Times

This was intended to startle them.

The New Yorker

- and was intended to be temporary.

The New York Times

No slight was intended.

The New York Times

That law was intended to prevent piracy.

The New York Times

Presumably this was intended to be reassuring.

The Economist

The poem was intended for oral performance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Lazio said no slight was intended.

The New York Times

Yes, the pun, he said, was intended.

The New York Times

(This was intended as a compliment).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was intended" to clearly express the original purpose or design behind an action, plan, or object. For instance, "The software update was intended to improve user experience."

Common error

Avoid using "was intended" when the active voice is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The letter was intended by him for her", write "He intended the letter for her".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was intended" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates the purpose or goal that was initially set for a particular action, object, or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was intended" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the original purpose or design of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in written English. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using "was intended", ensure that the context clearly conveys the initial aim and avoid misusing it in active voice constructions. Consider related phrases like "was meant to be" or "was designed to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was meant to be

Replaces "intended" with "meant", focusing on the original purpose or design.

was designed to

Emphasizes the deliberate planning and creation for a specific purpose.

was planned for

Highlights the planning aspect and the target or goal of the action.

was purposed for

Focuses on the specific purpose or function for which something was created.

was aimed at

Indicates the target or intended recipient of an action or design.

was envisioned as

Stresses the initial vision or concept behind something.

was conceived to

Emphasizes the origin and the initial idea or plan.

was created for

Focuses on the act of creation with a specific purpose in mind.

was anticipated to

Highlights the expected outcome or result of an action.

was expected to

Indicates an expectation or prediction about the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "was intended" in a sentence?

You can use "was intended" to indicate the original purpose or plan behind something. For instance, "The new policy was intended to reduce carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "was intended"?

Alternatives include "was meant to be", "was designed to", or "was planned for", depending on the specific context.

Is "was intended for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was intended for" is grammatically correct. It is used to specify the intended recipient or purpose. For example, "The gift was intended for his mother."

What is the difference between "was intended" and "was supposed to"?

"Was intended" refers to the original plan or purpose, while "was supposed to" suggests an obligation or expectation that may or may not have been fulfilled. For example, "The meeting was intended to finalize the budget", versus "The meeting was supposed to start at 10 AM, but it was delayed."