intention、intent与design这些名词均有“意图、企图”之意。
intention : 普通用词，指某人内心产生的想做某事的想法，侧重内心活动。
- It wasn't my intention to exclude her from the list - I just forgot her.
我并不是故意将她排除在名单之外——只是把她忘了而已。 - I've no intention of changing my plans just to fit in with his.
我不打算改变自己的计划来迁就他。 - He's full of good intentions, but he never does anything about them!
他有很多好的打算，但从未有过实际行动！
intent : 法律用词，常指某人怀有歹意而犯罪。
- I spent half the morning on the phone, which wasn't really my intent.
我半个上午都花在了打电话上，这可不是我真正想做的。 - It was not his intent to hurt anyone.
他的本意并不是想伤害谁。 - She was charged with possessing weapons with intent to endanger life.
她被指控以故意伤人为目的持有武器。
design : 多用复数形式，含贬义多指行为不轨的意图。
- to have territorial designs (on neighbouring countries)
有夺取（邻国）领土的企图 - I think Alan has designs on your job/wife!
我觉得艾伦对你的工作／妻子有不良企图！
