weak intention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak intention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of strong commitment or resolve towards a particular goal or action. Example: "His weak intention to follow through with the project was evident when he missed several deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Most people had at least weak intention, but only a small fraction of them had a strong intention.

Princeton University

Most farmers (92.5%) revealed strong intention to continue to use improved grassland (which requires active management and investment of resources) for the next 12 months; whereas 7.5% of farmers were undecided and showed weak intention, which was associated with farmers whose main income was from non-farm activities as well as with farmers who had only recently started using improved grassland.

Livestock Science

An important finding of this study is that both U.S. and Turkish students showed relatively weak intention to start their own new venture.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Some women may only have a weak intention to take action even though they have negative feelings toward their husbands' smoking.

BMC Pediatrics

A weak intention to perform a behaviour (e.g., eat unhealthy snacks) need not, however, reflect a strong intention to perform an alternative (eat healthy snacks) or inhibit the focal behaviour (avoid eating unhealthy snacks).

Health Psychology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

To fall back into the lassitude of the last 12 years, to talk, to discuss, to debate but never act; to declare our will but not enforce it; to combine strong language with weak intentions, a worse outcome than never speaking at all.

The Guardian

Overall, physicians have weak intentions to practice euthanasia in palliative care.

BMC Medical Ethics

Children with greater intention to engage in MVPA reported more MVPA compared with children who expressed weaker intention.

BioMed Research International

Townsend [ 15] suggested that females' weaker intention to die may contribute to their high rates of drug overdose.

BMC Public Health

Healthy women showed a stronger decrease in perceived risk than affected women, and a decreased risk perception was related to a weaker intention.

British Journal of Cancer

Intention for prophylactic mastectomy was also predicted by the change in perceived risk after the counselling session (β=0.23; P=0.002); women who shifted towards a lower perceived risk, reported a weaker intention for prophylactic mastectomy.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the level of commitment or motivation, use "weak intention" to accurately portray a low degree of resolve. This phrase is effective when analyzing behavioral patterns or predicting future actions based on current inclinations.

Common error

Avoid using "weak intention" when a stronger term like "no intention" or "disinclination" more accurately reflects the situation. Ensure the phrase aligns with the actual degree of intent being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak intention" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "intention". It describes the quality or degree of intent someone has towards a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weak intention" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a lack of strong commitment or resolve. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from various sources, primarily in scientific, news, and academic contexts. The phrase is neutrally registered and suitable for describing situations where someone's commitment is not firm. While it's not a particularly common phrase, it effectively conveys the intended meaning. Related phrases include "feeble intention", "limited intention", and "wavering intention", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. Be mindful not to overstate the lack of intention when using this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the degree of intent being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble intention

Replaces "weak" with "feeble", indicating a lack of strength or effectiveness.

limited intention

Substitutes "weak" with "limited", suggesting a restricted or constrained intention.

wavering intention

Replaces "weak" with "wavering", highlighting instability and indecision.

tenuous intention

Uses "tenuous" instead of "weak", implying a fragile or uncertain intention.

faltering intention

Employs "faltering" to convey a weakening or unsteady resolve.

lack of resolve

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of missing determination.

half-hearted commitment

Indicates a commitment that is not fully engaged or enthusiastic.

lukewarm desire

Uses "lukewarm" instead of "weak", suggesting a lack of passion or enthusiasm.

indecisive inclination

Replaces "intention" with "inclination" to emphasize a hesitant tendency.

unenthusiastic plan

Rephrases the concept to focus on a plan that lacks enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "weak intention" in a sentence?

You can use "weak intention" to describe a lack of strong commitment. For example, "Despite saying he would exercise, his "weak intention" was evident when he skipped the gym again."

What are some alternatives to "weak intention"?

Alternatives include "feeble intention", "limited intention", or "wavering intention" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "weak intention" or "lack of intention"?

"Weak intention" implies some level of intent, albeit not strong, while "lack of intention" suggests no intent at all. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the presence or absence of intent.

What does it mean to have a "weak intention"?

Having a ""weak intention"" means you have a desire or plan to do something, but your commitment is not firm, and you are easily swayed or deterred from following through.