intent
intent — 形容詞
1. showing complete focus on what you are doing, so that you notice little else aro
專注的
完全投入於某事的
showing complete focus on what you are doing, so that you notice little else around you.
Hannah was so intent on her painting that she forgot about lunch.
Hannah 太專注於她的畫作，連午餐都忘了吃。
intent on + noun for complete focus
The dog watched the gate with an intent expression, waiting for its owner.
那隻狗全神貫注地看著大門，等待主人回來。
Ezra listened with an intent gaze, not wanting to miss a single word.
Ezra 專注地聆聽著，深怕錯過任何一句話。
The children's intent faces showed how much they loved the story.
孩子們專注的表情顯示出他們有多喜歡這個故事。
- distracted
opposite of focused; unable to concentrate
- inattentive
formal opposite; not paying attention
文法句型
be intent on + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Usually used in the pattern 'be intent on something' or as an attributive adjective before nouns like 'gaze', 'look', or 'expression'.
常見錯誤
2. firmly determined to achieve a particular goal, especially when this requires ef
堅決的
決心達成某目標的
firmly determined to achieve a particular goal, especially when this requires effort or persistence.
The school is intent on improving reading scores by the end of the year.
這所學校決心要在年底前提升學生的閱讀成績。
intent on + gerund for determination
Rodrigo was intent on finishing the marathon, despite the pain in his leg.
Rodrigo 決心跑完馬拉松，儘管他的腿很痛。
Despite the setbacks, the research team remained intent on finding a cure.
儘管遭遇挫折，研究團隊仍堅決要找到治療方法。
The company seems intent on cutting costs wherever possible this quarter.
這間公司似乎決心要在本季盡可能削減成本。
- hesitant
uncertain or unwilling to act
- indecisive
unable to make a clear decision
文法句型
be intent on + gerund/noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'be intent on + gerund'. Unlike 'determined', 'intent' does not pair with 'to' + infinitive ('She is intent to win' is incorrect). Compare with the adjective sense FOCUSED: the DETERMINED sense emphasises a goal or outcome, not the quality of attention itself.
常見錯誤
intent — 名詞
1. a clear plan or purpose that a person wants and intends to carry out.
意圖；目的
想做某事的計畫
a clear plan or purpose that a person wants and intends to carry out.
Vikram signed a letter of intent to buy the old warehouse on River Road.
Vikram 簽署了一份意向書，打算購買河邊路上的舊倉庫。
collocation: letter of intent
It was never her intent to upset anyone with her comments.
她在發言時從未有意要讓任何人感到不悅。
The government declared its intent to build more affordable housing in the city.
政府宣佈要在市區內興建更多平價住宅的意圖。
Marcus made no secret of his intent to run for Parliament in the next election.
Marcus 毫不隱瞞自己打算在下一屆選舉中競選國會議員。
文法句型
intent + to-infinitive
intent of + noun
intent to + verb
用法筆記
Often used in formal contexts (legal documents, official statements). In everyday speech, 'intention' is more common than 'intent'. The phrase 'letter of intent' is a standard term in business and law.
常見錯誤
2. the meaning or message that someone truly wants to express through their words o
本意
想傳達的真正含義
the meaning or message that someone truly wants to express through their words or actions, especially when it is different from what is actually understood.
The intent of the new law was to protect small business owners from unfair competition.
這項新法的本意是保護小企業主免受不公平競爭的影響。
pattern: the intent of [document/law]
His words were kind, but critics questioned the real intent behind his speech.
他的話語很友善，但批評者質疑他言論背後的真實用意。
A good reader looks beyond the literal words and understands the author's intent.
優秀的讀者懂得超越字面意思，去理解作者的本意。
The intent of the original contract was clear, but later changes made it confusing.
原始合約的本意很清楚，但後來的修改讓它變得令人困惑。
- meaning
more general and broader; 'intent' adds the idea of the communicator's deliberate purpose
- significance
focuses on importance rather than the specific message intended
- spirit
as in 'the spirit of the law'; contrasts with the literal wording
文法句型
[possessive] intent behind + noun
the intent of + noun
用法筆記
Common in discussions of literature, law, and communication. Often used in the phrase 'the author's intent' or 'the intent of the law'. Distinguish from the PURPOSE sense: this sense focuses on what a statement/document means, not on what someone plans to do.