Meaning & use
good intentions
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Meaning
nounplural
Kind or helpful plans that someone has, regardless of whether the outcome actually turns out well.
Grammar: Plural noun with a plural verb: his good intentions were clear.
Patterns
- with good intentions
- good intentions towards someone
She had good intentions, but her advice made things worse.
He started the project with good intentions and little time.
Good intentions are not enough without a clear plan.
Common combinations
- have good intentions
- I'm sure he has good intentions.
- with the best of intentions
- She acted with the best of intentions.
- road to hell is paved with good intentions
- They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
- mean well
- My neighbours mean well, even when they interfere.
- despite good intentions
- Despite good intentions, the new rules caused confusion.
Synonyms and how they differ
- kind motives
- Kind motives focuses on the reasons for acting, while good intentions can also include plans for the future.
- best wishes
- Best wishes is a polite greeting or sign-off, whereas good intentions are about what someone planned to do.
- noble aims
- Noble aims sounds more formal and suggests high moral purposes, not just a wish to be helpful.
Opposites
Word family
- intention noun
- something you plan to do
- intend verb
- to plan to do something
- intentional adjective
- done deliberately
- well-intentioned adjective
- meaning to be helpful, though not always succeeding
Commonly confused: good intentions or intension?
good intentions vs intension
Intension is a technical word in logic and philosophy, while intention means a plan or purpose.
Practice
Dan had ____, but his surprise party spoiled her quiet evening.
Choose one answer.
Good intentions means he meant well even though the result was unwelcome. The other options do not explain why the party was planned.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “good intentions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.