we intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we intended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a plan or purpose that was thought of or aimed for in the past. Example: "In our last meeting, we intended to discuss the new project timeline, but we ran out of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We intended to kill him".

The New York Times

All about what we intended.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was not what we intended.

The New Yorker

"That's not what we intended.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some have gone further than we intended".

The Guardian

Indeed, that's what we intended to do in Libya.

The New York Times

We intended to take control of the situation.

The New York Times

"But what we intended to happen, didn't happen.

Independent

"We intended her to be smart, just overly earnest".

The New York Times - Arts

We intended to exercise more control over the umpires.

The New York Times - Sports

Rod and pole: are we intended to see a twinship?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we intended", ensure the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to, especially in formal writing. Maintain consistency in subject and tense throughout the surrounding sentences to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently when using "we intended". If the intended action is still relevant or ongoing, clarify the current status instead of leaving it ambiguous. For example, clarify if the plan was modified or achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we intended" functions as a declarative statement indicating a past intention or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. The subject "we" performs the action of intending, clarifying a past aim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we intended" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a past aim or purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines who "we" refers to and maintain tense consistency. Alternatives like "it was our intention" or "we had planned" may be preferred in more formal settings. By understanding its function and common usage, you can effectively use "we intended" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we meant to

Highlights the original aim or purpose, often used when the outcome differed.

we had planned

Highlights the planning aspect, using the past perfect tense to indicate a prior plan.

it was our intention

Rephrases "we intended" using a noun form of intention and a possessive pronoun to highlight the purpose.

our objective was

Highlights the specific goal or target that "we" wanted to achieve.

we aimed to

Focuses on the objective or goal that "we" were trying to achieve.

we set out to

Implies a deliberate start toward a specific goal or purpose.

it was our plan

Emphasizes the planned nature of the action, focusing on a predetermined course.

we had in mind

Focuses on the initial concept or idea that guided the actions.

we designed to

Emphasizes that something was created or arranged with a specific intention in mind.

we purposed to

A more formal way of expressing intent or determination.

FAQs

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

You can use "we intended" to describe a plan or purpose that was formulated in the past. For example, "We intended to launch the new product last quarter, but faced unexpected delays."

What's a formal alternative to "we intended"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it was our intention" or "our objective was" to convey a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "we intended" when the plan changed?

If the plan changed, you could say "we meant to" followed by an explanation of what was originally planned versus what actually happened.

Is there a difference between "we intended" and "we planned"?

While similar, "we intended" often implies a stronger sense of purpose or goal, whereas "we planned" simply indicates that a plan was made. You can also consider "we had planned" for a closer meaning.