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Davidrock65 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

What's the difference between intent and intention?

a. It was not his intent to hurt anyone. = It was not his intention to hurt anyone?

b. It wasn't my intention to exclude her from the list - I just forgot her. = It wasn't my intent to exclude her from the list - I just forgot her?

What's the difference between them? Could you give me some examples?

Thanks for answering
  

Top answer

Strictly speaking, I don't think there is much difference at all. But 'intention' is probably the more natural word to use in most contexts. g.

— Anonymous

  • Strictly speaking, I don't think there is much difference at all.
  • But 'intention' is probably the more natural word to use in most contexts.
  • g.
  • He was arrested for loitering with intent.
  • Also, it can be used in place of the verb 'to intend'.
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4 Answers
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Strictly speaking, I don't think there is much difference at all. But 'intention' is probably the more natural word to use in most contexts.

'Intent' can be used particularly to refer to an unspecified intention of a bad or criminal nature, e.g.

He was arrested for loitering with intent.

Also, it can be used in place of the verb 'to intend'. For example:

He is
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intent and intention are synonyms.

Intention signifies a course of action that one proposes to follow.
Intent, often a legal term, more strongly implies a fixed course pursued deliberately.

(The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)

See also www.thefreedictionary.com

CJ
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In the US today, "intent" is used almost exclusively as an adjective in the idiomatic phrase "to be intent on". For example:


He was intent on getting into Harvard. ("Intention" cannot be substituted here.)

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