Intend vs. Intent — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 11, 2023
"Intend" is a verb meaning to plan or aim to do something, while "intent" is a noun referring to purpose or determination to achieve a certain outcome.
Difference Between Intend and Intent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Intend is primarily a verb that describes the action of planning or aiming to achieve something. On the other hand, Intent serves as a noun, pinpointing the purpose, goal, or determination behind a specific action.
When someone says they intend to do something, they are expressing a future plan or objective. The intent behind such a plan, however, is the reason or motivation driving that particular decision.
For instance, a student might intend to study harder to improve their grades. Their intent might be to secure a scholarship or to achieve personal satisfaction.
Intend focuses on the action that will be taken in the future, showcasing commitment or aspiration. Intent, on the contrary, digs deeper, shedding light on the underlying purpose or motivation.
It's essential to discern between one's actions that they intend to take and the intent behind those actions. While actions can be seen or measured, intent often remains internal and personal.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Meaning
To plan or aim to do something
Purpose or determination behind an action
Usage
Describes future plans or objectives
Describes underlying motivation or reason
Grammatical Companions
Typically followed by infinitive (to + verb)
Often followed by "of" or "on"
Examples
"I intend to visit," "They intend to construct"
"Her intent was clear," "with good intent"
Compare with Definitions
Intend
To have in mind as a goal or purpose.
She intends to win the competition.
Intent
The goal or purpose behind an action.
The intent of the law is to protect consumers.
Intend
To mean or signify.
I intended my remarks as a compliment.
Intent
An intended goal or target.
Their criminal intent was proven in court.
Intend
To have a course of action as one's purpose.
He intends on joining the army.
Intent
A clear and focused state of mind.
He has a strong intent to succeed.
Intend
To design for a particular use or user.
This tool is intended for professional use.
Intent
Concentration on something.
She listened with intent.
Intend
To have in mind; plan
We intend to go. They intend going. I intended that you would go as well.
Intent
Something that is intended; an aim or purpose.
Intend
To design for a specific purpose
A whisk is intended to beat eggs.
Intent
(Law) The state of mind necessary for an act to constitute a crime.
Intend
To have in mind for a particular use
I intended the flowers as a present to her.
Intent
Firmly fixed; concentrated
An intent gaze.
Intend
To signify or mean
What did he intend by that remark?.
Intent
Having the attention applied; engrossed
The students, intent upon their books, did not hear me enter the room.
Intend
To have a design or purpose in mind.
Intent
Having the mind and will focused on a specific purpose
Was intent on leaving within the hour.
Are intent upon being recognized.
Intend
To fix the mind upon (something, or something to be accomplished); be intent upon
He intends to go to university.
They evidently intended some mischief.
Intent
Something that is intended.
Intend
To fix the mind on; attend to; take care of; superintend; regard.
Intent
(legal) The state of someone’s mind at the time of committing an offence.
Intend
(obsolete) To stretch to extend; distend.
Intent
Firmly fixed or concentrated on something.
A mind intent on self-improvement
Intend
To strain; make tense.
Intent
Engrossed.
Intend
(obsolete) To intensify; strengthen.
Intent
Unwavering from a course of action.
Intend
To apply with energy.
Intent
Closely directed; strictly attentive; bent; - said of the mind, thoughts, etc.; as, a mind intent on self-improvement.
Intend
To bend or turn; direct, as one’s course or journey.
Intent
Having the mind closely directed to or bent on an object; sedulous; eager in pursuit of an object; - formerly with to, but now with on; as, intent on business or pleasure.
Be intent and solicitous to take up the meaning of the speaker.
Intend
To design mechanically or artistically; fashion; mold.
Intent
The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose; intention; meaning; drift; aim.
Be thy intents wicked or charitable.
The principal intent of Scripture is to deliver the laws of duties supernatural.
Intend
To pretend; counterfeit; simulate.
Intent
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Intend
To stretch; to extend; to distend.
By this the lungs are intended or remitted.
Intent
The intended meaning of a communication
Intend
To strain; to make tense.
When a bow is successively intended and remedied.
Intent
Directed with intense concentration;
A fixed stare
An intent gaze
Intend
To intensify; to strengthen.
Magnetism may be intended and remitted.
Intent
Wholly absorbed as in thought;
Deep in thought
That engrossed look or rapt delight
The book had her totally engrossed
Enwrapped in dreams
So intent on this fantastic...narrative that she hardly stirred
Rapt with wonder
Wrapped in thought
Intend
To apply with energy.
Let him intend his mind, without respite, without rest, in one direction.
Intent
Determination to perform a particular act or to act in a particular manner.
He had an intent to finish the race.
Intend
To bend or turn; to direct, as one's course or journey.
Intend
To fix the mind on; to attend to; to take care of; to superintend; to regard.
Having no children, she did, with singular care and tenderness, intend the education of Philip.
My soul, not being able to intend two things at once, abated of its fervency in praying.
Intend
To fix the mind upon (something to be accomplished); to be intent upon; to mean; to design; to plan; to purpose; - often followed by an infinitely with to, or a dependent clause with that; as, he intends to go; he intends that she shall remain.
They intended evil against thee.
To-morrow he intendsTo hunt the boar with certain of his friends.
Intend
To design mechanically or artistically; to fashion; to mold.
Modesty was madeWhen she was first intended.
Intend
To pretend; to counterfeit; to simulate.
Intend a kind of zeal both to the prince and Claudio.
Intend
Have in mind as a purpose;
I mean no harm
I only meant to help you
She didn't think to harm me
We thought to return early that night
Intend
Design or destine;
She was intended to become the director
Intend
Mean or intend to express or convey;
You never understand what I mean!
What do his words intend?
Intend
Denote or connote;
`maison' means `house' in French
An example sentence would show what this word means
Intend
To plan or design for a specific purpose.
I intend to complete this project by next week.
Common Curiosities
Does "intend" always guarantee an action?
No, it expresses a plan, but plans might change.
Is "intend" always about future plans?
Mostly, but it can also express a current purpose or meaning.
Can "intent" describe someone's mindset?
Yes, it can refer to a focused state of mind.
How can I determine someone's intent?
Through their actions, words, or both, though it's not always easy.
Can "intent" be positive or negative?
Yes, intent can be good or malicious depending on the context.
Is "intent" always serious?
No, but it highlights a clear purpose or reason.
Can "intent" be used legally?
Yes, in law, "intent" often refers to a person's state of mind when committing an act.
How do I use "intend" in a sentence?
"Intend" is typically followed by "to" and a verb, e.g., "I intend to travel."
Is "intend" the active form of "intent"?
In a way, yes. "Intend" is the verb form while "intent" is the noun.
Are there synonyms for "intent"?
Yes, like "purpose," "aim," or "objective."
Can companies have an intent?
Yes, in terms of goals or mission statements.
Is "I intend on" correct usage?
While "intend to" is more common, "intend on" is also used colloquially.
Is "intent" always obvious?
Not necessarily; it can be overt or hidden.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
