was intentional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was intentional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or decision was done on purpose or with a specific intention behind it. Example: "The mistake in the report was intentional, as we wanted to test the team's attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The jump was intentional.

The New York Times - Sports

The effect was intentional.

The New York Times

This was intentional.

The New York Times

How much was intentional?

The Economist

That was intentional.

The New York Times

Perhaps that was intentional.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

And that is intentional.

The New York Times - Science

(The lowercase is intentional).

The New York Times

Perhaps that is intentional.

The New York Times

This is intentional.

The New York Times

Nor is intentional contact.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "was intentional" with an explanation of the intent behind the action to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "was intentional" without explaining why it was intentional. Readers need to understand the purpose or motivation behind the intentional action to fully grasp its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was intentional" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a subject, indicating that an action, decision, or outcome was done on purpose, not by accident. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing it's used to clarify the nature of events or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was intentional" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that an action or decision was made on purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase serves to clarify that something was not accidental but rather planned or deliberate. Its neutral formality makes it suitable for use in news, academic writing, and general communication. While "was intentional" is widely accepted, providing context about why something was intentional enhances clarity and avoids potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deliberate

Emphasizes careful consideration and planning behind the action.

was on purpose

A more informal way of saying "was intentional".

was planned

Focuses on the pre-arranged nature of the action.

was purposed

Highlights that the action had a specific aim or goal.

was by design

Highlights that something was made intentional, rather than occurred as an accident.

was designed

Implies that the action was carefully crafted to achieve a particular outcome.

was calculated

Suggests a more strategic and potentially self-serving motivation.

was a conscious decision

Focuses on the awareness and thoughtfulness behind the action.

was meant to be

Suggests destiny, and may imply less personal control over the act.

was predetermined

Emphasizes that the action was decided in advance and unchangeable.

FAQs

What does "was intentional" mean?

The phrase "was intentional" means that something was done on purpose, deliberately, or with a specific aim or plan in mind. It indicates that the action was not accidental or coincidental.

What are some alternatives to "was intentional"?

Alternatives include "was deliberate", "was planned", "was designed", or "was on purpose". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use it to clarify that an action was not accidental, for example: "The mistake in the report "was intentional", as we wanted to test the team's attention to detail." or "The omission "was intentional" to emphasize certain key points."

Is it better to say "was intentional" or "was deliberate"?

Both "was intentional" and "was deliberate" are correct and have similar meanings. "Intentional" emphasizes purpose, while "deliberate" emphasizes careful consideration. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.