with willful intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with willful intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to describe actions taken deliberately and with purpose. Example: "The defendant acted with willful intent to deceive the investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smith also does not give enough weight to the way revisionism and self-mythologisation is often a balm to the wounds made by history rather than an act of willful intent.

The Guardian - Books

It's hard to wrap our heads around this idea that sex requires the same kind of willful intent that a great diet plan or financial management program does.

Huffington Post

The federal government must establish a willful intent by Officer Wilson beyond a reasonable doubt to interfere with Michael Brown's protected civil rights.

Huffington Post

Is there a willful intent on it?

The New York Times

Tax evasion is a felony that involves willful intent to break the law.

The New York Times

So they can't legally convict me of tax evasion or any other crime that requires willful intent".

The New York Times

Everyone knows I believe no law requires me to pay taxes, so there is no willful intent to commit a crime.

The New York Times

That depends on whether existing evidence or evidence that was not known at trial shows the officers had a willful intent to use more force than was reasonably necessary.

The New York Times

Dr. DeHaven said his inspectors do find some cases of animal abuse, but far fewer than in the past, and "almost always in a situation where there has been unintended negligence and not willful intent".

The New York Times

Each agreement should also cite the 1996 Economic Espionage Act, so that employees know that there is a law in place so your company can prove willful intent.

Forbes

Eroticism requires an active engagement and willful intent of both partners.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with willful intent" to denote a conscious and deliberate decision to act, especially when the action has negative implications or legal ramifications. Consider the connotations, as it often implies a degree of culpability.

Common error

Avoid using "with willful intent" when simple negligence or unintentional actions are involved. The phrase suggests a deliberate decision, not an accidental oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with willful intent" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying the manner or intention behind the action. It adds a layer of deliberation and purpose to the action being described. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with willful intent" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the deliberate and purposeful nature of an action, frequently with negative implications. While Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, the phrase is relatively infrequent in the provided data, suggesting a more formal or specialized context. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a conscious and deliberate decision, not mere negligence. Alternatives like "with deliberate intention" or "with malicious intent" may offer more specific nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with deliberate intention

Replaces "willful" with "deliberate", emphasizing a carefully considered plan.

with malicious intent

Specifies that the intention is harmful or evil.

with purposeful design

Highlights the deliberate and planned nature of the action.

with premeditated purpose

Emphasizes the advance planning and intention behind the action.

knowingly and intentionally

Breaks down the phrase into its components, stressing awareness and purpose.

with conscious aim

Highlights the awareness and focus on a specific goal.

by design

A shorter, more concise way of indicating deliberate action.

on purpose

A common and direct way of expressing intentionality.

with set purpose

Emphasizes the firmness and determination of the intention.

with specific objective

Focuses on the clear and defined goal behind the action.

FAQs

How to use "with willful intent" in a sentence?

The phrase "with willful intent" is typically used to describe an action that is done deliberately and purposefully, often with a negative or harmful outcome. For example: "The defendant acted "with willful intent" to deceive the investors."

What can I say instead of "with willful intent"?

Alternatives to "with willful intent" include "with deliberate intention", "with malicious intent", or "on purpose", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what context is "with willful intent" most appropriate?

"With willful intent" is often used in legal or formal contexts to emphasize the deliberate nature of an action, particularly when assessing guilt or responsibility. It's less common in everyday conversation.

What is the difference between "with willful intent" and "with intent"?

Adding "willful" emphasizes that the action was not only intended but also done with a conscious and determined purpose. "With intent" simply means the action was planned, while "with willful intent" suggests a stronger, more deliberate and potentially malicious purpose.