was not intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was not intended' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was not done on purpose or that the outcome was not what was intended. For example: "The remark was not intended to be hurtful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

?Quis? was not intended for serious eyes.

The New Yorker

It was not intended as a compliment.

The New York Times - Sports

This remark was not intended satirically.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was not intended as a symbolic gesture.

The New York Times - Sports

Holly was not intended to be a role model.

The New York Times

It was irreverent, but it was not intended to mock.

The New York Times

It was not intended as a contemporary art fair".

Independent

The money was not intended just to boost GPs' profits.

Independent

It added that "this inference was not intended".

The New York Times

It was not intended to be a hatchet job.

The Guardian

It was not intended to meet legal standards for prosecution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not intended", clarify what the actual intention was to avoid confusion. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was not intended" as a sole excuse for negative consequences. Acknowledge the outcome and take responsibility, even if unintended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not intended" functions as a qualifier, indicating a lack of purpose or deliberate planning behind an action, statement, or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it expresses that something was not done on purpose or that the outcome was not what was originally planned. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase used in contexts ranging from clarifying remarks to describing unintended consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not intended" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of deliberate planning or purpose behind an action or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to clarify that something occurred without prior intention. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that this phrase is used predominantly in news and media, followed by scientific contexts, with neutral register, to provide explanation or defense by emphasizing the absence of malicious intent. When using "was not intended", it is best practice to provide clarifying context and avoid using it as a sole justification for negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unintentional

Emphasizes the lack of conscious planning behind an action.

was without intention

States directly that there was no deliberate aim or purpose.

was inadvertent

Highlights that the action happened by accident or without attention.

was not meant to

Highlights that the aim or purpose was different from the actual outcome.

was accidental

Suggests that the action occurred by chance or without deliberate intent.

was not designed to

Focuses on the original design or plan lacking a specific function.

was not supposed to

Suggests a deviation from an expected or prescribed outcome.

was not purposed for

Emphasizes that the intended function or goal was different.

was not aimed at

Indicates the action or statement had a different target or focus.

was not calculated to

Implies that the action was not planned to achieve a particular result.

FAQs

How can I use "was not intended" in a sentence?

Use "was not intended" to express that an action or outcome was not planned or deliberate. For example, "The comment "was not intended" to be hurtful".

What are some alternatives to "was not intended"?

You can use alternatives like "was unintentional", "was not meant to", or "was inadvertent" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was not intended" or "was unintentional"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""was not intended"" implies a lack of deliberate planning, while "was unintentional" suggests an accident or lack of awareness. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was not intended" and "did not intend"?

"Was not intended" is in the passive voice, focusing on the action or outcome, while "did not intend" is in the active voice, focusing on the actor's lack of intent. For example, "The message "was not intended" for you" versus "I did not intend to send the message to you".