whose intention

USAGE SUMMARY

"whose intention" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone's purpose or goal especially in relation to an action or situation. For example: "We are still unsure of whose intention was behind this decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

While the debris generation sources described are sufficient to degrade valuable orbits, there is also a growing threat of intentional debris generation by enemy combatants or rogue nations whose intention would be to deny their enemies critical space infrastructure.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

There were men whose intention was to go straight back into crime.

The Guardian

He was, after all, a Jesuit priest whose intention was to convert the Chinese to Roman Catholicism.

The New York Times - Arts

In most comparable cases, those who set up systems are ahead of those whose intention is to break them.

Independent

Rahul is a great player whose intention is to book himself in every time he goes to the crease.

The Guardian - Sport

Were the boos directed at Mr. Putin, whose intention to return to the presidency in 2012 struck a sour note with some Russians?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I am just a soul whose intentions are good.

The Guardian - Music

Schiavo's parents came to despise her husband, whose intentions they impugned.

The New Yorker

The Youth League tried, unsuccessfully, to expel Communists, whose intentions they suspected, from the A.N.C.

The New Yorker

He has strange, unreal conversations with an attorney whose intentions are beyond obscure.

The Guardian - Books

A floral designer named David Beahm, whose intentions were not particularly romantic.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whose intention", ensure that the possessive pronoun clearly refers to a specific individual or group to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "whose intention" when the subject is vague or ambiguous. For example, instead of "the project whose intention was unclear", clarify it as "the project, the intention of which was unclear" or "the intention behind the project was unclear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose intention" serves as a possessive determiner, linking an intention or purpose to a specific person or entity. This construction is used to specify whose plan, aim, or objective is being discussed, as illustrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whose intention" functions as a possessive determiner, linking a specific aim or purpose to an individual or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its utility in both journalistic and analytical writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in referencing the subject to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "the aim of whom" or "the purpose of whom" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful of avoiding unclear referents when employing "whose intention" to maintain precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the motivation of whom

Replaces "intention" with "motivation", highlighting the underlying drive or reason for action.

the purpose of whom

Replaces "whose" with "of whom" and uses "purpose" instead of "intention", maintaining a similar level of formality.

the aim of whom

Replaces "whose" with "of whom" and uses "aim" instead of "intention", slightly more formal.

the goal of whom

Replaces "whose" with "of whom" and uses "goal" instead of "intention", suggesting a specific target to be achieved.

the objective of whom

Replaces "whose" with "of whom" and uses "objective" instead of "intention", implying a more strategic goal.

whose objective was

Expands the phrase to include the verb "was", clarifying the connection between the person and their objective.

with what purpose

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the purpose, offering a more direct inquiry into the reason behind the action.

whose goal was

Similar to the previous alternative, but uses "goal" instead of "objective", indicating a specific target.

with what aim

Restructures the phrase to focus on the aim directly, rather than the person possessing the intention.

for what reason

Offers a more general inquiry into the cause or motive behind an action, diverging slightly from the specific focus on intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "whose intention" to indicate the purpose or goal someone has. For example, "They are the brainchild of Nick Wall, "whose intention" in 2008 was to deliver an authentic cocktail experience for drinking at home – or anywhere, anytime".

What are some alternatives to "whose intention"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the aim of whom", "the purpose of whom", or "the motivation of whom". These alternatives offer slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it correct to say "of whom the intention" instead of "whose intention"?

While grammatically possible in some contexts, "whose intention" is generally more concise and natural. "Of whom the intention" might be used in more formal or complex sentence structures.

How does "whose intention" differ from "what was their intention"?

"Whose intention" functions as a possessive determiner, linking the intention to a specific entity. "What was their intention" is a question seeking to identify the purpose or goal of a group.