What Does "with the intention of" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It expresses purpose or intention, indicating the reason why someone is doing something. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb.
- Typical sentence position: Primarily medial (within the sentence), but can occasionally appear at the beginning for emphasis.
- Register: Neutral to formal. It's more common in written and spoken contexts that require a degree of formality.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It is typically followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). It precedes the action that is being performed with the stated intention. The basic structure is: [Action] with the intention of [Desired Outcome/Purpose in gerund form].
- Punctuation rules: A comma is generally not required before "with the intention of" unless it is part of a nonrestrictive clause or phrase that adds extra (but non-essential) information. If the phrase starts the sentence, a comma will often follow it.
- Grammatical flexibility: While typically found mid-sentence, it can start a sentence for emphasis, though this is less common. It can be negated by negating the verb it modifies or by including "no" or "without" before "intention".
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it with a noun instead of a gerund is incorrect. For example, "with the intention of a promotion" is incorrect; it should be "with the intention of getting a promotion." Using it in very informal contexts might sound overly formal.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from with the intention of on Ludwig.guru.
"And with the intention of coming back." — The Guardian - Travel
"Volunteer with the intention of learning a new skill." — Columbia University
""We bought it with the intention of preserving it." — The New York Times
"Peru invaded Ecuador with the intention of annexing Guayaquil." — Britannica
"She didn't go out with the intention of killing someone." — The Guardian
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/with+the+intention+of
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| in order to |
Indicates purpose, often followed by a verb in its base form. |
| with the aim of |
Similar in meaning, slightly more formal. |
| intending to |
More concise and slightly less formal. |
| for the purpose of |
Formal and emphasizes the specific reason. |
| so as to |
Formal; often used in legal or technical contexts. |
| to |
Simpler and more common, especially in informal contexts. |
| with a view to |
More common in British English; indicates a future goal. |
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: Using "with the intention for" instead of "with the intention of".
- Missing gerund: Forgetting to follow "with the intention of" with a verb in its -ing form.
- Overly formal in informal contexts: Using "with the intention of" in very casual conversations can sound unnatural.
- Learners often confuse "with the intention of" with simpler prepositions like "to" or "for", or incorrectly use it without a clear action or goal following it.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| with the intention of |
Expresses purpose or aim |
Neutral to Formal |
Medial (within the sentence) |
FAQs
Where can "with the intention of" be placed in a sentence?
"With the intention of" primarily appears mid-sentence, connecting an action with its purpose. While less common, it can start a sentence for emphasis, followed by a comma. The most natural placement is after the main verb describing the action undertaken.
How does "with the intention of" differ from simply using "to"?
While both express purpose, "with the intention of" is more formal and emphatic than simply using "to". "To" is more versatile and suitable for a wider range of contexts, including informal ones, whereas "with the intention of" adds a layer of deliberate intent.
What's the correct way to use "with the intention of" to avoid common errors?
Ensure that "with the intention of" is always followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) that clearly describes the intended action or outcome. For example, instead of saying "with the intention of success," say "with the intention of achieving success." Avoid substituting "for" for "of".