For all intents and purposes or For all intensive purposes: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: You should always write for all intents and purposes. The phrase for all intensive purposes is a common error that changes the meaning entirely. Use the correct version to mean something is practically true, not intense.

The Short Answer

"For all intents and purposes" is correct.

People often confuse this expression because intensive sounds similar and feels more forceful. However, intents refers to intentions or meanings, while intensive implies strength or concentration, which does not fit the original context.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
for all intents and purposes	Correct	You mean something is effectively true in practice.
for all intensive purposes	Incorrect	Never use this; it is a malapropism.
intents	Plural noun	Refers to purposes, meanings, or intentions.
intensive	Adjective	Describes something done with great effort or strength.

Correct Example Sentences

For all intents and purposes, the project is finished.
The old system is, for all intents and purposes, obsolete.
For all intents and purposes, we have reached our goal.
The candidate won for all intents and purposes before the count.
For all intents and purposes, the two plans are identical.
The store is closed for all intents and purposes today.
For all intents and purposes, the experiment was a success.
The team played together for all intents and purposes.
For all intents and purposes, the law remains unchanged.
The building is empty for all intents and purposes.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

For all intensive purposes, the meeting is over.: For all intents and purposes, the meeting is over.
It works for all intensive purposes now.: It works for all intents and purposes now.
We are for all intensive purposes ready.: We are for all intents and purposes ready.
The data is for all intensive purposes complete.: The data is for all intents and purposes complete.
For all intensive purposes, he was correct.: For all intents and purposes, he was correct.
The plan is for all intensive purposes sound.: The plan is for all intents and purposes sound.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check if you mean intentions or meanings. If you can swap the phrase with effectively or practically, use intents. If you are describing high effort or concentration, you likely do not need this idiom at all.

Related Word Pairs

Effect vs Affect: Use effect for nouns and affect for verbs.
Their vs There: Use their for possession and there for location.
Its vs It's: Use its for possession and it's for it is.
Loose vs Lose: Use loose for not tight and lose for misplace.
Principal vs Principle: Use principal for headmaster and principle for rule.

More Example Sentences

For all intents and purposes, the renovation is complete.
The old rule is for all intents and purposes ignored by staff.
For all intents and purposes, the two species are identical.
The server is down, so for all intents and purposes we are offline.
For all intents and purposes, the debate has ended.
The city center is for all intents and purposes pedestrian-only.
For all intents and purposes, the budget is balanced.
The agreement is for all intents and purposes binding.
For all intents and purposes, the mystery is solved.
The road is for all intents and purposes closed to traffic.

Quick Practice

The old machine is, for all and purposes, broken.

intents

For all and purposes, the meeting is cancelled.

intents

He is, for all and purposes, the leader of the group.

intents

The data is for all and purposes accurate.

intents

For all and purposes, the project failed.

intents

The store is for all and purposes empty now.

intents

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people say intensive instead of intents?

Listeners often mishear the phrase because intensive is a more common word in daily conversation. The similar sound leads to the incorrect spelling becoming popular by mistake.

Can I use this phrase in formal writing?

Yes, for all intents and purposes is standard in formal and informal contexts. It is widely accepted in legal, academic, and business documents when used correctly.

Is there a difference in meaning between the two?

Yes, intents refers to purposes or meanings. Intensive implies strength or thoroughness. Using intensive changes the meaning to something that is not idiomatic or standard English.

How do I remember the correct spelling?

Think of the word intent, which means purpose. Since the phrase talks about purposes, the plural form intents is the logical choice. Intensive has no connection to purpose.