we intended to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we intended to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a plan or purpose that was meant to be carried out in the past. Example: "We intended to finish the project by the deadline, but unforeseen circumstances delayed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We intended to kill him".

The New York Times

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 to exercise more control over the umpires.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Guardian

"It wasn't that we intended to build a search engine.

TechCrunch

With the latter we intended to find accuracy issues.

European Transport Research Review

This reciprocal relationship is exactly what we intended to achieve.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

First, we intended to demonstrate the multidimensionality of social intelligence.

Personality and Individual Differences

"We intended to be funny.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we intended to", consider if a more specific verb phrase might add clarity, such as "we intended to analyze", "we intended to survey", or "we intended to demonstrate".

Common error

Avoid using "we intended to" when the actual outcome was significantly different from the initial plan without acknowledging the discrepancy. Instead, clarify the difference or explain the reasons for the deviation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we intended to" functions as a clause introducer, expressing a past intention or plan. It is used to describe what was meant or purposed to be done. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for stating past objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we intended to" is a versatile phrase used to express a past intention or plan. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, including scientific, news, and formal business writing. While highly frequent and generally neutral to formal in register, being mindful of more informal alternatives like "we meant to" can improve the clarity and relevance of writing across all mediums. Ludwig's analysis of source material also highlighted the importance of contextual awareness, suggesting being forthright with any deviations from the stated intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we meant to

This alternative is more informal.

we planned to

This alternative emphasizes the planning aspect.

it was our intention to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the intent.

our aim was to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the goal.

we had in mind to

This alternative suggests a less concrete plan.

we set out to

This alternative implies a determined effort.

we designed to

This alternative implies careful planning and design.

we proposed to

This alternative indicates a formal suggestion or plan.

we purposed to

This alternative is somewhat archaic and formal.

we aspired to

This alternative suggests a strong desire or ambition.

FAQs

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

Use "we intended to" followed by a verb to describe a past plan or purpose. For example, "we intended to survey the participants" or "we intended to analyze the data".

What can I say instead of "we intended to"?

You can use alternatives like "we meant to", "we planned to", or "our aim was to" depending on the context.

Is "we intended on" grammatically correct instead of "we intended to"?

While "we intended to" is the standard and more widely accepted form, "we intended on" might be encountered in some informal contexts but should be avoided in formal writing.

What's the difference between "we intended to" and "we wanted to"?

"We intended to" suggests a more formal and deliberate plan or purpose, while "we wanted to" implies a desire or wish that may not have been thoroughly planned or executed.