Avoir l’intention de is a common French verb phrase meaning “to intend to” or “to plan to.” It directly expresses a person’s plan or purpose regarding a future action. The construction is avoir l’intention de + infinitive verb.

It is used in all registers of speech, from formal to casual. The phrase places a clear emphasis on the subject’s conscious plan or objective.

Usage and examples

The structure is consistent. The verb avoir is conjugated according to the subject, while l’intention de remains unchanged, followed by the infinitive of the main action verb.

• J’ai l’intention de partir tôt demain.
  I intend to leave early tomorrow.
• Elle avait l’intention de t’appeler.
  She intended to call you.
• Avons-nous l’intention de finir ce projet aujourd’hui ?
  Do we intend to finish this project today?
• Ils n’ont pas l’intention de vendre leur maison.
  They do not intend to sell their house.
• Il a l’intention d’aller au magasin.
  He intends to go to the shop

It can be used in various tenses by conjugating the verb avoir.

• Il aura l’intention de négocier.
  He will intend to negotiate.
• Si j’avais eu l’intention de lui faire du mal, je l’aurais fait.
  If I had intended to hurt him, I would have done it.

Synonyms and alternative expressions

Several phrases convey similar ideas with slight variations in tone or certainty.

• Penser à + infinitive: Suggests “to think about doing” something, often less firm than an intention.
  • Je pense à apprendre l’italien.
    I’m thinking about learning Italian.
• Compter + infinitive: Implies a firm plan or counting on doing something.
  • Je compte soumettre mon rapport vendredi.
    I plan to submit my report on Friday.
• Envisager de + infinitive: Means “to consider” or “to contemplate,” indicating an idea is being weighed.
  • Nous envisageons de déménager en province.
    We are considering moving to the countryside.
• Prévoir de + infinitive: Means “to plan” or “to foresee,” often with a sense of logistical planning.
  • Il prévoit d’arriver vers 14h00.
    He plans to arrive around 2:00 PM.
• Se proposer de + infinitive: A more formal or literary way to say “to propose to oneself.”
  • Elle se propose d’organiser la réunion.
    She proposes to organize the meeting.
• Avoir pour projet de: Similar to avoir l’intention de, sometimes suggesting a larger or more concrete project.
  • Ils ont pour projet d’ouvrir un restaurant.
    Their plan is to open a restaurant.

Summary

Avoir l’intention de is a standard, versatile phrase for stating intention. It is formed with a conjugated avoir + l’intention de + infinitive. Alternatives like compter or prévoir can indicate stronger planning, while penser à or envisager de suggest less certainty.