with bad intentions

USAGE SUMMARY

"with bad intentions" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's actions or behavior that is motivated by malicious or harmful intentions. For example: - "He approached the old lady with bad intentions, pretending to help her but really just wanting to steal her purse." - "Her words were laced with bad intentions, meant to hurt and belittle her coworker." - "I could sense that he was acting with bad intentions, trying to deceive us with his charming smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are here with bad intentions".

The New York Times

It wasn't put in with bad intentions.

The New York Times - Science

"He's not playing with bad intentions.

The Guardian - Sport

The only species with bad intentions in this film?

The New York Times - Arts

All of this will make someone with bad intentions think you are an easy target.

Stanford University

One, Cantanhede carried a knife to the match with "bad intentions".

The New York Times - Sports

"If anyone came upstairs with bad intentions we were going to bonk them".

The New York Times

"They were the ones who went to Mr. Yoo with bad intentions".

The New York Times

All that was clear of his personality was the way he bowled - with bad intentions.

The Guardian - Sport

"Ideally, people with bad intentions should be identified long before" they pass through an airport's final security checkpoint, she said.

The New York Times

There are stories about him kicking out reporters he thought were asking him questions with bad intentions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with bad intentions", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the malicious or harmful nature of the intent. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming "with bad intentions" when actions could stem from ignorance, negligence, or misunderstanding. Always consider alternative explanations before attributing malice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with bad intentions" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI also suggest, the phrase describes the intention behind the action, adding a layer of meaning about the actor's motives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with bad intentions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes actions driven by malicious or harmful motives. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for highlighting negative intent across various contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context unequivocally supports the attribution of bad intentions. Alternatives like "with malicious intent" or "with harmful motives" can provide nuanced variations while maintaining the core meaning. While "with evil motives" has an overlapping meaning, it's less appropriate and implies a more severe case of harmful intention. Thus, "with bad intentions" is a versatile and powerful tool for expressing disapproval and warning, provided it is used accurately and responsibly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

Replaces "bad intentions" with a more formal term, "malicious intent", to convey the same meaning.

with ill intent

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the core meaning of harmful or malicious purposes.

with evil motives

Uses the more direct term "evil" to describe the motives behind the actions.

with harmful motives

Substitutes "intentions" with "motives" and "bad" with "harmful", emphasizing the potential for damage.

for malevolent purposes

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary, such as "malevolent" and "purposes", to express a similar idea in a more formal tone.

with sinister designs

Replaces "intentions" with "designs" and "bad" with "sinister", suggesting a more elaborate and potentially dangerous plan.

with wicked aims

Uses "wicked aims" instead of "bad intentions", conveying a sense of moral corruption.

with nefarious goals

Substitutes "intentions" with "goals" and "bad" with "nefarious", suggesting illegal or immoral purposes.

with destructive desires

Focuses on the "desires" behind the actions, emphasizing the potential for harm and ruin.

with bad faith

Highlights the lack of honesty and sincerity in the actions or intentions.

FAQs

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

You can use "with bad intentions" to describe actions or motivations, such as "He approached the deal "with bad intentions", planning to defraud his partners."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "with malicious intent", "with harmful motives", or "for malevolent purposes", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "with bad intentions" and "with evil motives"?

While both phrases suggest harmful motivations, "with evil motives" implies a deeper level of moral depravity compared to ""with bad intentions"", which can encompass a broader range of negative intentions.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "with bad intentions"?

Use "with bad intentions" when you want to emphasize that someone's actions are driven by a deliberate desire to cause harm, deceive, or exploit others, making the negative motivation clear.