with intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with intent" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to convey purpose or intention in a sentence. Example: The suspect was arrested for breaking and entering with intent to steal valuable belongings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reconcile activity with intent.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And they do so consciously, with intent.

The New York Times - Arts

Both started swimming with intent aged six.

Independent

with intent to defame the..

Cornell University

Ferreira admitted wounding with intent.

The Guardian

'Bristles with intent': Jake Bugg.

The Guardian - Music

Talk about using your bodies with intent!

The Guardian - Opinion

Loitering With Intent, by Muriel Spark.

The New York Times - Books

Nolan admitted grievous bodily harm with intent.

The Guardian

Franklin then approached the pool with intent.

The Guardian - Sport

He began to look, with intent, at French Modernists.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with intent" in legal contexts, ensure you understand the specific legal meaning, as it often carries significant weight in determining guilt or liability.

Common error

Don't assume "with intent" implies successful completion of the intended action. It only specifies the purpose, regardless of whether the goal was achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with intent" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the purpose or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with typical English grammar. For example, "He acted with intent" shows a deliberate purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with intent" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that adds precision to writing by explicitly stating the purpose or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse sources such as news media, academic papers, and legal documents. It's crucial to understand the scope of "intent" and to distinguish it from successful outcomes or mere intention. This phrase helps to clarify not just what was done, but why, offering readers a deeper understanding of the actor's mindset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally

Substitutes the phrase with an adverb that directly conveys deliberate action.

on purpose

Uses a shorter phrase expressing deliberate intent or aim.

purposely

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb denoting acting with a purpose.

deliberately

Replaces the phrase with an adverb highlighting the premeditated nature of the action.

with a specific aim

Expands the phrase, clarifying that the intent is directed toward a particular goal.

with the objective of

Replaces the phrase with a more formal expression highlighting the goal-oriented nature of the action.

in order to

Uses an infinitive phrase to explicitly state the purpose behind an action.

for the purpose of

Replaces the phrase with a slightly more formal construction specifying the reason for an action.

designed to

Highlights the intended function or outcome of a planned action.

with full awareness

Emphasizes the understanding and consciousness accompanying the intent.

FAQs

How is the phrase "with intent" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "with intent" is used to specify the purpose or aim behind an action. For example, "He approached the task "with intent" to succeed" indicates his purpose was to achieve success.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "with intent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "purposely", "intentionally", or "on purpose" to convey a similar meaning.

In legal terms, what does "with intent" mean?

In legal contexts, "with intent" signifies that an action was carried out deliberately and with a specific aim or purpose in mind, which can have significant legal implications.

Is there a difference between "with intent" and simply saying "intending to"?

While both phrases indicate purpose, "with intent" often emphasizes the firmness or deliberateness of that purpose. "Intending to" is a more general statement of future action, while "with intent" implies a committed plan. For instance, compare "He was charged "with intent" to defraud" and "He was intending to start a business".