we originally intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we originally intended" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing plans or goals that were set in the past but may have changed or evolved over time. Example: "In our initial meetings, we originally intended to launch the product by the end of the year, but we have since adjusted our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"You think, nothing seems more right than what we originally intended," Mr. Faxon said.

The New York Times

Magnetometer — As mentioned previously, magnetic interference and inaccuracy prevented us from using this as a compass, as we originally intended.

Cornell University

"We are targeting not only the same empty-nesters we originally intended to draw, but young families as well," Mr. Tabatchnick said.

The New York Times

We originally intended to simulate gravity by using an electromagnet, but the weak forces produced by the best magnet we could make made that unrealistic.

Cornell University

We originally intended to use a microSD card, but since the lab already had a free SD card and card holder, we chose to use those instead.

Cornell University

"We originally intended to alternate récits, but we saw that a loose but coherent structure emerged, which gave force to the production," explained Charles-Henri Bradier, Ms. Mnouchkine's assistant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Sammlung Boros #1" was intended to be on display for one or two years, "but people kept writing or calling, wanting to see the exhibition, so we kept it open longer than we had originally intended," Mr. Boros said.

The New York Times - Arts

We did not have time to add hair as we had originally intended.

Stanford University

This year we are really focusing on getting back to what we had originally intended.

Vice

We never originally intended to cast my wife, Kate Fleetwood, as Lady M. Originally we had someone else in mind, but it didn't work out quite late on.

The Guardian

In fact, we had originally intended to distinguish between patients on waitlists from treatment as usual (TAU), because we considered there to be restrictions on administration of medications to patients on waitlists.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we originally intended", make sure to clearly explain how the actual outcome or plan differed from the initial intention to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "we originally intended" when the original plan is still in effect. This phrase implies a change or deviation from the initial intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we originally intended" functions as a statement of past intention, often setting up a contrast with a current situation or course of action. It indicates a plan or purpose that was present at an earlier time but is no longer the primary focus or has been altered. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we originally intended" is a versatile phrase used to express a past intention that has since changed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context about the deviation from the original plan. Alternatives like "we initially planned" or "our initial aim was" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Keep in mind that this phrase implies a change, so avoid using it when the original plan is still in effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we initially planned

Focuses on the planning aspect and uses "initially" instead of "originally".

we had intended from the start

Emphasizes the initial timeframe of the intention.

it was our original goal

Shifts the focus to the goal rather than the intention, slightly altering the nuance.

our initial aim was

Uses "aim" instead of "intention" and "initial" instead of "original".

we first envisioned

Emphasizes the vision or concept behind the original intention.

we had initially set out to

Focuses on the action of setting out to do something, adding a sense of undertaking.

the original plan involved

Changes the subject to the plan itself, rather than "we".

we had at first thought to

Highlights the thought process behind the initial intention.

we had in the beginning projected

Uses a more formal tone with "projected" and emphasizes the beginning.

our starting point was to

Focuses on the starting point as the initial intention.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "we originally intended"?

The phrase "we originally intended" means that there was a plan or goal that was initially set, but something has changed, causing a deviation from that original plan.

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

You can use it to explain a change in strategy or direction. For example: "We originally intended to launch the product in Q1, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we've had to delay it."

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

You can use alternatives like "we initially planned", "our initial aim was", or "we first envisioned" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "we had originally intended" instead of "we originally intended"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "we originally intended" is more concise and commonly used. "We had originally intended" adds a slight emphasis on the past perfect tense.