with bad intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with bad intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are motivated by malicious or harmful purposes. Example: "He approached the situation with bad intent, hoping to manipulate the outcome to his advantage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It appears that the Pagans came here with bad intent," he added.

The New York Times

For didn't those with bad intent on occasion happen to stand beside the good, the innocent, or the underaged?

The New Yorker

Berryman loved William Blake's couplet: "A truth that's told with bad intent / Beats all the lies you can invent".

The New Yorker

Some users wish to live in public despite intimidation, and a protected account is a signal that those with bad intent have forced them to retreat.

The Economist

But the investigators thought e-mails on the computer might include some from Clinton's first three months as Secretary of State that they had been unable to locate during the initial investigation, Comey said, and this was important because, "if there was evidence that she was acting with bad intent, that's where it would be, in the first three months".

The New Yorker

We also find that this developmental trajectory differs for judgments of accidental harm (a bad outcome with benign intent) and judgments of attempted harm (a benign outcome with bad intent).

Cognition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And two is, should there be a cooling-off period if somebody who's really hot buys a gun with a bad intent and might cool down and refrain?

The New York Times

You and I can disagree with them about that, but they did not act with malice or bad intent".

Vice

A long description makes it easier for someone to pretend they are what you want, deliberately or not, with good or bad intent.

WikiHow

"I don't think it was done with any sort of bad intent," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But that hasn't been true for a long time, so it's become very hard — maybe even impossible — to prove bad intent with smoking-gun evidence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's actions, ensure the context clearly supports the claim that they acted "with bad intent". Avoid making assumptions without sufficient evidence.

Common error

Avoid attributing actions to "with bad intent" simply because of a negative outcome. Ensure there is evidence of malicious planning or a deliberate attempt to cause harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with bad intent" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates the presence of a malicious or harmful purpose. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing actions intended to cause mischief or harm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with bad intent" is a commonly used phrase that describes actions carried out with a malicious or harmful purpose. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "with malicious intent" or "with ill intent" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. It's important to ensure that the context supports the assertion of malicious intent and to avoid attributing actions to "with bad intent" without sufficient evidence. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, highlighting its relevance in discussions about responsibility and blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

Replaces "bad" with "malicious", emphasizing a desire to do evil or cause harm.

with ill intent

Substitutes "bad" with "ill", conveying a sense of harmful or unfavorable purpose.

with evil intentions

Adds the plural "intentions" and uses "evil" to emphasize moral wickedness.

with harmful purpose

Emphasizes the detrimental nature of the intended action by using "harmful".

with malevolent purpose

Replaces "intent" with "purpose" and uses "malevolent" to describe the nature of the purpose, indicating deep-seated hatred or evil.

with wicked motives

Replaces "intent" with "motives" and uses "wicked" to denote morally bad or evil intentions.

with sinister motive

Changes "intent" to "motive" and uses "sinister" to highlight a threatening or ominous purpose.

with destructive aims

Focuses on the damaging goals by using "destructive aims".

with corrupt purpose

Indicates that the intent is tainted or morally depraved by using "corrupt".

with nefarious design

Replaces "intent" with "design" and uses "nefarious" to suggest wickedness or evil intent.

FAQs

What does "with bad intent" mean?

The phrase "with bad intent" means having a deliberate plan or motive to cause harm, damage, or negative consequences. It implies a malicious or malevolent purpose behind an action.

How can I use "with bad intent" in a sentence?

You can use "with bad intent" to describe actions where someone is knowingly trying to cause harm. For example, "He spread rumors "with bad intent", hoping to damage her reputation."

What are some alternatives to saying "with bad intent"?

Some alternatives include "with malicious intent", "with ill intent", or with a sinister motive, each emphasizing the harmful purpose.

Is it always easy to prove someone acted "with bad intent"?

No, proving someone acted "with bad intent" can be difficult. It requires demonstrating that they were aware of the potential harm and deliberately chose to proceed, rather than acting accidentally or negligently.