intently

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   With your full attention fixed on one thing, so that you hardly notice anything else.

   Grammar: Goes with verbs of looking and listening: watch intently, listen intently.

   Patterns

   • listen intently
   • stare intently at something

   The children listened intently to the storyteller.

   She studied the map intently before choosing a path.

   He stared intently at the screen and did not look up.

2. 2adverbnot comparableformal

   With strong, serious purpose and determination.

   Grammar: Less common; goes with verbs such as work or pursue.

   Patterns

   • work intently on something

   The team worked intently on the design all night.

   He pursued his goal intently for years.

   They planned intently, checking every detail.

Common combinations

listen intently

The audience listened intently to the speaker.

watch intently

The cat watched intently as the bird hopped closer.

stare intently

He stared intently at the chessboard.

study intently

She studied the contract intently.

look intently at

The doctor looked intently at the X-ray.

Synonyms and how they differ

attentively

Attentively stresses polite, careful attention, while intently suggests a stronger, almost absorbed focus.

closely

Closely is a plainer word and can describe careful checking as well as watching.

keenly

Keenly adds enthusiasm and interest to the attention, which intently does not require.

fixedly

Fixedly describes a stare that does not move, and it can sound odd or even uncomfortable.

Opposites

Word family

intent adjective

focused and determined

intent noun

a purpose or aim

intention noun

something you plan to do

Commonly confused: intently or intensely? intently or intentionally?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “intently”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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