What is intention? Pronunciation and usage in English

intention means . Learn how to pronounce and use intention through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of intention

intentionnoun

/ɪnˈtɛnʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of intention

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "intention" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Sounds:

  • "I-": Pronounced like the letter "I" – a short, crisp "ih" sound.
  • "Ten-": Pronounced like "ten" – as in, the number ten.
  • "-tion": This is the trickiest part. It’s pronounced like "shun" – rhymes with "fun" or “sun.”

2. The Combined Pronunciation:

Putting it all together, you get: in-TEN-shun

Here's a more detailed breakdown of each syllable:

  • in: Pronounced as a short “ih” sound: /ɪn/
  • TEN: Pronounced like the number ten: /tɛn/ (the 'e' makes a short 'e' sound)
  • shun: Pronounced like "shun": /ʃʌn/

3. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "in-ten-shun" - The emphasis is on the second syllable ("TEN").
  • Avoid adding an "ay" sound to the "ten" part. Don't say "in-ten-shun" like "in-ten-SHUN".
  • The "t" in "ten" is silent. It's a flap T sound, which is a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. (Think of the "tt" in "butter" - it's very quick!)

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are a few resources:

  • Google Audio Search: Just search "how to pronounce intention" on Google, and you’ll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/intention/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce intention" - you’ll find many videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide you with a phonetic transcription of the word?
  • Give you some example sentences using “intention”?

Usage and examples with the word intention in English

Let's break down how to use the word "intention" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. Core Meaning: A Plan or Purpose

At its most basic, "intention" means a plan or purpose for doing something. It's the reason you're doing something, or the goal you have in mind.

  • Example: "My intention is to learn Spanish this year." (This means you plan to learn Spanish.)
  • Example: "She had the intention of helping her friend move." (She planned to help.)

2. As a Noun (the thing itself)

  • Definition: The plan or purpose itself.
  • Examples:
    • “He stated his intention clearly.” (He clearly stated his plan.)
    • “She revealed her intention to run for office.” (She revealed her plan to run.)
    • “The company's intention is to expand into new markets.” (The plan of the company.)

3. As a Verb (to decide to do something)

  • Definition: To decide to do something; to make a decision with a specific purpose.
  • Examples:
    • “I intend to finish this project by Friday.” (I’m deciding to finish it by Friday.)
    • “He intended to apologize, but he got distracted.” (He decided to apologize, but….)
    • "She intended to surprise him with a party." (She planned to surprise him.)

4. Related Words & Phrases

  • Good intentions: Having a positive purpose, but not necessarily successful in achieving it. “He had good intentions, but his actions had the opposite effect.”
  • Bad intentions: Having a negative purpose. “I don’t trust him; he has obvious bad intentions.”
  • With the intention of…: Used to express purpose. “I went to the store with the intention of buying milk.”
  • To be/have the intention to…: Similar to "with the intention of…"
  • Intend to do something: A common and natural way to express a plan.

5. Formal vs. Informal

  • "Intention" is generally more formal than simply saying "plan" or "purpose." It’s often used in writing, speeches, and more serious conversations.
  • "Plan" and "purpose" are more commonplace in everyday speech.

Here’s a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun A plan or purpose "His intention was to travel the world."
Verb To decide to do something "I intend to study hard for the exam."
Phrase Expressing purpose "With the intention of helping..."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you needing to use "intention" in? (e.g., writing a formal letter, speaking casually, understanding a book, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're unsure how to use it?

Synonyms for the word intention

Idioms of the word intention

the road to hell is paved with good intentions
(saying)it is not enough to intend to do good things; you must actually do them

    Practice with vocabulary intention

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The committee's initial ________ was to present the findings at the next quarterly meeting.
    2. He approached the negotiation with the clear ________ of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
    3. After much deliberation, the team submitted a detailed ________ outlining the new marketing strategy.
    4. The detective investigated the suspect's ________ for committing the crime.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. The company's stated ________ is to expand into new international markets next year. A) intention B) objective C) fantasy D) desire

    2. She always acts with the best of ________, even when her efforts don't yield the desired results. A) intentions B) motives C) will D) plans

    3. Despite the unforeseen challenges, their ________ to complete the project on schedule remained strong. A) intention B) determination C) aspiration D) hope

    4. His strong ________ to reach the top tier of his profession drove his relentless pursuit of excellence. A) ambition B) objective C) resolve D) plan

    5. Before starting any major initiative, it's crucial to clearly define the ________ you aim to achieve. A) goal B) target C) premise D) hypothesis

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. He announced his decision to retire at the end of the year.
      • (Rewrite using "intention")
    2. The company plans to launch a new product line next quarter.
      • (Rewrite using "intention" or a related word form)
    3. My main purpose in attending the conference was to network with industry leaders.
      • (Rewrite without using "intention", using a suitable replacement word)

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. intention
    2. intention
    3. proposal
    4. motive

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. A) intention, B) objective
    2. A) intentions
    3. A) intention, B) determination
    4. A) ambition, C) resolve
    5. A) goal, B) target

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. He announced his intention to retire at the end of the year.
    2. It is the company's intention to launch a new product line next quarter.
    3. My primary objective in attending the conference was to network with industry leaders.

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