avoir l’intention de
“Avoir l’intention de” is a common French expression that translates to “to intend to,” “to have the intention of” or “to mean to” in English. It is used to express a plan, goal, or something you are planning to do. This phrase is quite versatile and can be used in various contexts, whether formal or informal.
Breakdown of the Phrase
- Avoir: This is the verb “to have” in French. It is an irregular verb, so its conjugation varies depending on the subject.
- L’intention: This noun means “intention.” It is feminine in gender, as indicated by the article “l’” (which is a contraction of “la”).
- De: This preposition is used to link “intention” to the verb that follows. Means “of.”
How to Use “Avoir l’intention de”
To use “avoir l’intention de,” you follow this structure:
- Conjugate the verb “avoir” according to the subject.
- Add “l’intention de.”
- Follow with an infinitive verb that indicates what you intend to do.
Example Sentences
- J’ai l’intention de voyager cet été.
(I intend to travel this summer.)
Here, “j’ai” is the conjugation of “avoir” for “je” (I), and “voyager” is the infinitive verb meaning “to travel.” - Elle a l’intention de apprendre le français.
(She intends to learn French.)
“Elle a” is “avoir” conjugated for “elle” (she), and “apprendre” is “to learn.” - Nous avons l’intention de vendre notre maison.
(We intend to sell our house.)
“Nous avons” is the conjugation for “nous” (we), and “vendre” is “to sell.”
Conjugation of “Avoir”
Since “avoir” is an irregular verb, it’s important to know its conjugation in the present tense:
- Je (I) – J’ai
- Tu (You, singular informal) – Tu as
- Il/Elle/On (He/She/One) – Il/Elle/On a
- Nous (We) – Nous avons
- Vous (You, singular formal or plural) – Vous avez
- Ils/Elles (They, masculine or feminine) – Ils/Elles ont
Examples in Different Tenses
While the examples above are in the present tense, “avoir l’intention de” can also be used in other tenses.
- Passé Composé (Past Tense):
J’ai eu l’intention de quitter mon travail, mais je ne l’ai pas fait.
(I intended to quit my job, but I didn’t.) - Futur Simple (Future Tense):
J’aurai l’intention de partir demain.
(I will intend to leave tomorrow.)
Key Points to Remember
- The phrase “avoir l’intention de” is always followed by an infinitive verb.
- You need to conjugate “avoir” to match the subject of the sentence.
- “Intention” is a feminine noun, hence the contraction “l'” from “la.”
