区别辨析 intent, intention, purpose 与 aim

 (1) ①intent意为“目的,意向,意图”,主要为法律用语。

  • I don't think Mr. Smith entered the office with criminal intent .
    我认为史密斯先生进入办公室没有犯罪意图。
  • There is no denying the fact that the accused man did shoot with intent to kill.
    不可否认的是被告开枪确实是蓄意杀人。

②intent也用于一般场合。

  • Don't you think we should all use our leisure time to good intent?
    你难道不认为我们都应当把闲暇时间用于良好的目的上吗?
  • The original intent of their setting up the English class was to train qualified personnel for hotels and restaurants.
    他们开设这个英语班原本的意图是为旅馆饭店培训合格人员的。

③intent用作形容词,意为“急切的,热心的,专心致志的”,与作名词的intent为同形异义词。

  • There was an intent look on her face as she watched the game.
    她看比赛时,脸上露出专心致志的表情。
  • He was intent on his work/on getting to the office in time.
    他专心致志于他的工作/一心一意要及时赶到办公室。
  • I do hope that you'll be intent on doing your best in your studies.
    我希望你在学习上专心致志、尽力而为。

 (2) intention 意为“意图,意向,愿望,意旨,打算”。

  • If I've hurt your feelings, it was quite without intention .
    如果我伤害了你的感情,那完全是无意的。
  • He went to France with the intention of learning French.
    他去法国意在学习法语。
  • His intentions are good, but he seldom carries them out.
    他的意图是好的,可他很少将其付诸实施。
  • She felt very angry because her good intentions had been repaid by evil results.
    她感到非常生气,因为她良好的愿望换来的却是恶果。

 (3) ①purpose可表示“目的,计划,意图,意向,用途,效果等”。

  • I wouldn't go to London for/with the mere purpose of buying a new tie.
    仅仅为了买一条新领带我可不会去伦敦。
  • Have you achieved/accomplished your desired purpose?
    你达到了你向往的目的了吗?
  • I don't think this plan of theirs will serve their purpose .
    我认为他们的计划是不会奏效的。
  • It can serve the double/dual/twofold purpose of seats by day and beds by night.
    它可用于双重目的:白天当座位用,晚上当床用。
  • I haven't got a pen here, but a pencil will answer the same purpose .
    我这里没有钢笔,但一支铅笔也一样管用。

②purpose可组成短语on purpose,意思是“故意,蓄意,专门”。

  • A: I'm sorry I stepped on your toe; it was an accident.
    很抱歉踩了你的脚,我不是故意的。
    B: It wasn't! You did it on purpose .
    不是的!你是故意踩的。
  • I came here on purpose to see you.
    我来这里是为了来看看你。

 (4) aim指“目的,目标,意图”。

  • What is your aim in working so hard?
    你这么用功目的是什么?
  • He told me about his aims in life.
    他告诉了我他生活的目标。