with humorous intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with humorous intent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions, statements, or expressions that are meant to be funny or entertaining. Example: "His comment was made with humorous intent, aiming to lighten the mood during the serious discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She incorporated quotations from here and there books, magazines, newspapers into her work, and often with humorous intent, to act as a kind of counterpoint to the commentary of her own words.

The Economist

Also, in a play on real terms like "double DES", the terms "double ROT13", "ROT26", or "2ROT13" crop up with humorous intent, including a spoof academic paper "On the 2ROT13 Encryption Algorithm".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The humorous intent is signaled early: the pilot begins with a chase in which the two are running down a man in a furry beaver suit.

The New York Times - Arts

To see Rotarians, garden-club ladies, or B-movie actors with red, yellow, or blue dots instead of faces suggests satiric or humorous intent, but Baldessari says that was not what he had in mind.

The New Yorker

Imagine him saying those words to his Statesman interrogator Jemima Khan: nasal irony, dry delivery, audibly humorous intent.

The Guardian

And then there's Mr. Eisold, whose comic darkness necessitates a reconsideration of the possibly humorous intent of the singers he's channeling.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the humorous intent, Ms. Chenoweth said, during a visit to New York in June before the series was canceled, the religious motif unnerved many people.

The New York Times

This study showed that individuals with schizophrenia and normal IQ had a poorer understanding of both types of jokes (and at least a reduced ability to relay their humorous intent) than matched healthy controls.

BMC Psychiatry

He toasted departing colleagues with humorous poems.

The New York Times

"Helluva Town" is sprinkled with humorous twists and bon mots.

The New York Times - Arts

He enlivened sermons with humorous one-liners and animated antics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "with humorous intent", ensure the surrounding context aligns with the intended humor. Incongruity between the phrase and the actual content can lead to confusion or a failed attempt at humor.

Common error

Avoid using "with humorous intent" when the actual content lacks any humor or levity. Overusing this phrase can make the writing seem forced or insincere, especially if the humor is not evident or falls flat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with humorous intent" functions as an adverbial modifier, clarifying the purpose or motivation behind an action or statement. It indicates the intention behind something is to be humorous, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with humorous intent" is a useful tool for specifying that an action, statement, or creation is meant to be funny. While grammatically correct and usable, Ludwig shows that it is not particularly common. It serves to prevent misinterpretations and clarify the speaker's or writer's goal of creating a humorous effect. It's important to ensure that the humor is evident and appropriate to the context to avoid any forced or insincere impressions. The frequency of use is considered uncommon. Overall, its use is a matter of stylistic choice and depends on the need for explicit clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a joking manner

Replaces "with humorous intent" by focusing on the manner in which something is done, emphasizing the act of joking.

with comedic purpose

Substitutes "intent" with "purpose", highlighting the aim of creating comedy.

designed to be funny

Emphasizes the design aspect, indicating that something was created to elicit humor.

meant as a joke

Focuses on the intention behind an action or statement, clarifying that it was intended as humor.

for comic effect

Highlights the intended effect of humor, focusing on achieving a comedic outcome.

with playful intentions

Replaces "humorous" with "playful", suggesting a lighthearted and amusing motive.

intended to amuse

Focuses on the aim to entertain and amuse the audience.

in a facetious way

Indicates that something is said or done in a lighthearted and often subtly humorous manner.

for humorous reasons

Emphasizes the reasons behind the humor, providing a direct explanation.

with a lighthearted aim

Highlights the lighthearted nature of the intention, indicating a gentle and amusing purpose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "with humorous intent"?

You can use alternatives such as "in a joking manner", "with comedic purpose", or "meant as a joke" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something is done "with humorous intent"?

It means that the action or statement was made with the intention of being funny or amusing. It suggests the goal was to create laughter or lighten the mood.

Is it always necessary to state that something is done "with humorous intent"?

No, it is not always necessary. It's best used when the humor might be subtle or when you want to ensure the audience understands the intention behind the humor. Overuse can detract from the humor itself.

How does the phrase "with humorous intent" differ from "satirical intent"?

"With humorous intent" simply means the aim is to be funny. "Satirical intent" implies using humor, irony, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices. "Satirical intent" often has a critical or political edge, whereas "with humorous intent" is more general.