- Have you ever wondered if you should say “make an intention” or “have an intention”?
- Do you know the difference between a “firm intention” and a “vague intention”?
- Are you unsure which preposition follows “intention” in a formal sentence?
Mastering intention collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for a C1/C2 level of fluency. In natural English, words don’t exist in isolation; they travel in “packs” called collocations. Using the right combinations ensures you sound professional, precise, and native-like, while reducing the cognitive load on your listener.
Essential Collocations using INTENTION as a Noun
Linguistically, “intention” functions strictly as a noun. However, it is a highly versatile noun that forms strong bonds with specific verbs and adjectives. Below are the most frequent and modern pairings used in professional and daily English.
Common Verb + Intention Combinations
These collocations describe the act of having, starting, or stopping a plan.
- Have every intention of: Used to emphasize that you really plan to do something.
Example: “I have every intention of finishing this report by Friday.” - Announce your intention: To tell people publicly what you plan to do.
Example: “The CEO announced her intention to retire next year.” - Signal an intention: To show through actions or words what you might do.
Example: “The central bank signaled an intention to raise interest rates.” - Abandon an intention: To give up on a plan.
Example: “Due to the storm, they had to abandon their intention to climb the mountain.” - Carry out an intention: To actually do what you planned.
Example: “It is one thing to have a plan, but another to carry out that intention.”
Adjective + Intention Combinations
Adjectives help define the strength, quality, or morality of a person’s plans.
- Firm intention: A strong, definite plan that is unlikely to change.
Example: “He has a firm intention to start his own business.” - Good intentions: Meaning to do something helpful, even if the result is bad.
Example: “I know you had good intentions, but you actually made the problem worse.” - Malicious intention: The plan to hurt or deceive someone (often used in legal contexts).
Example: “The prosecution must prove the defendant acted with malicious intention.” - Original intention: What was planned at the very beginning.
Example: “Our original intention was to stay for two days, but we stayed for a week.” - Clear intention: An obvious or easy-to-understand plan.
Example: “The government has shown a clear intention to improve public transport.”
Prepositional Patterns with Intention
Learners often struggle with which small words follow “intention.” Here are the two standard patterns.
- Intention of (+ -ing verb): The most common way to link the noun to an action.
Example: “She joined the club with the intention of making new friends.” - Intention to (+ base verb): A common alternative, often used in formal writing.
Example: “He has no intention to resign at this time.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Have every intention of | Verb + Noun | Being 100% sure about a plan. |
| Firm intention | Adjective + Noun | A strong, unchanging plan. |
| Announce an intention | Verb + Noun | Making a plan public. |
| Malicious intention | Adjective + Noun | A plan to do harm. |
| With the intention of | Prepositional Phrase | The reason for doing something. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I make an intention to go. | I have an intention to go / I set an intention. |
| With the intention for helping. | With the intention of helping. |
| He had bad intentions to me. | He had malicious intentions toward me. |
| I have no intention for leaving. | I have no intention of leaving. |
Contextual Story
“When Sarah announced her intention to restructure the department, there was a lot of nervous energy in the room. She reassured the staff that she had every intention of keeping all current employees, provided they shared her original intention of improving efficiency. While some critics questioned her motives, most believed she acted with good intentions to save the company from bankruptcy. Ultimately, she was able to carry out her intention with clear intention and transparency.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Intention Collocations
Is it “intention to” or “intention of”?
Both are grammatically correct, but they are used differently. Use “intention of” followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), e.g., “intention of going.” Use “intention to” followed by the base verb, e.g., “intention to go.” In modern English, “intention of” is slightly more common in spoken discourse.
What is the difference between “intent” and “intention”?
“Intention” is the standard word for general plans or aims. “Intent” is more formal and is frequently used in legal contexts (e.g., “with intent to commit a crime”) or to describe a very high level of focus (e.g., “an intent gaze”).
Can I say “make an intention”?
While “make” is common with many nouns, it sounds unnatural with “intention.” Instead, use “set an intention” (common in mindfulness or yoga) or “form an intention” (more formal/literary).
What does “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” mean?
This is a famous English proverb. It means that people often have plans to do good things, but if they don’t actually do them, or if their actions have unintended bad consequences, the “good intentions” are useless.
How do I use “intention” in a formal email?
In formal contexts, use the phrase “It is our intention to…” or “We have the intention of…” for example: “It is our intention to complete the audit by the end of the month.” This sounds much more professional than “We want to.”
As a non-native speaker, I really appreciate how you break down these subtle differences. It makes a huge difference in my confidence when speaking and writing.
That's wonderful to hear, Paulo! Building confidence through precise language use is exactly why we create these articles. The subtle differences often unlock a new level of fluency. Keep learning and growing!
This blog is a treasure! Keep these C1/C2 level posts coming! Collocations are truly the difference-maker.
We're so thrilled you find our content valuable, Lena! Your encouragement means a lot. We're committed to providing more high-level insights into collocations and other nuances that elevate English fluency. Stay tuned!
Is 'every' in 'have every intention of' just for emphasis? Can I just say 'I have the intention of doing X'?
Precisely, Omar! 'Every' in 'have every intention of' serves to add strong emphasis, signifying unwavering commitment. You can absolutely say 'I have the intention of doing X,' which is grammatically correct and means the same thing, but with less emphasis and determination.
I once used 'make an intention' in a business meeting and immediately felt silly when a native speaker just said 'have a clear intention.' This article explains why perfectly! Thank you for demystifying this.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Maria! It's a very common mistake, and understanding the 'why' behind collocations is exactly what we aim for. Those moments of realization are powerful learning opportunities! You're definitely on your way to sounding more native-like.
What about 'declare an intention'? Is that similar to 'announce' or does it carry a different connotation, perhaps more legal or very formal?
Excellent observation, Kim! 'Declare an intention' definitely leans towards more formal, official, or even legal contexts than 'announce.' It often implies a public and definitive statement, sometimes with legal implications or a strong sense of commitment.
Can these collocations be used in past tense? E.g., 'He had every intention of going, but couldn't.' Is that perfectly acceptable?
Absolutely, Fiona! Your example 'He had every intention of going, but couldn't' is perfectly acceptable and a very natural use of the collocation in the past tense. These verb+noun pairings are quite versatile across tenses.
Fantastic post! This helps a lot for job interviews where precision in language is key. I'll be practicing these phrases.
We're thrilled to hear it, Raj! You're absolutely right; precision in collocations makes a huge difference in professional settings like job interviews. Good luck with your practice – you'll sound incredibly professional!
I often try to translate directly from my native language, which leads to these awkward-sounding phrases. This article is a great reminder to focus on natural English patterns, not just word-for-word translation.
That's a very common experience, Olga! Direct translation can often lead to unnatural-sounding English because collocations vary so much across languages. You're on the right track by focusing on these natural 'word packs.' Keep observing and practicing!
If I say, 'He acted with the intention of helping,' is that correct? Or should it be 'with the intention to help'?
Both are actually correct and widely used, Kai! 'He acted with the intention of helping' uses the gerund ('of' + verb-ing), which is very common. 'He acted with the intention to help' (infinitive) is also grammatically sound. Choose the one that flows best for you!
Are there any other nouns like 'intention' that have similar collocation patterns? Like 'purpose' or 'aim'? I find these comparisons very helpful.
That's a fantastic analytical approach, Isabella! Yes, 'purpose' and 'aim' do share some similar patterns. For instance, you can 'have a purpose' or 'state your aim.' We'll consider a future article exploring collocations for these related nouns too!