英语中表示“目的”的同义词有很多，用法稍有不同，使用时应特别注意。
1．purpose目的即已经在某人心目中确立或已经公布了的欲达到的目的着重于实现目的的决心和待付出的努力。如：
Did you come to London for the purpose seeing your family？看望家人吗？
He walks with a stride full of purpose他信心十足地朝前走。
2．aim目标；目的侧重于方向性和直接性。还可以指射击的目标。如：
Our main aim is to finish it quickly．的主要目的是赶快做完它。
The gunner's aim was on the target．的目标在靶上。
3．goal目标；目的；进球侧重于具体的、现实的目标或目的。如：
His goal in life is to be a great scient他的人生目标是当一名伟大的科学家。
Wescoredagoalinthefirstminuteof game．我们球队在开赛后第一分钟之内进。
4．intention 目的；意图
He hasn't the least intention of marrying yet．他还没有一点儿要结婚的打算。
She felt offended at my remarks，but it wasn't my intention to hurt her．话冒犯了她，可我没有要伤害她的意图。
5．intent目的；意图常用于与法律有关的场合，指不良企图。一般用于短语with intent to中。如：
He entered the building with intent to steal．他进入大楼企图行窃。
He was wandering on top of the tall building with intent to commit sucide．他在大楼顶上徘徊，打算自杀。
6．design目的；意图往往用复数形式，指经过考虑和计划形成的不轨的或秘密的意图，着重于意图形成过程中的深思熟虑。如：
Do you think the house was burnt down你认为房子是意外烧毁还是有人故意放火？
He fails in his designs to become Prim Minister．他当首相的企图落空了。
7．end 目的；目标往往指终极目的。如：
He wants to buy a house，and is saving money for this end.他想买所房子，也正为这一目的而存钱。
You can hardly gain your ends without making constant efforts.不经风霜苦，哪得梅花香。
8．objective目标；目的常指客观的或长远的目标。如：
One of the government's main objectives is to reduce unemployment.-政府的主要目标之一就是减少失业。
His objective was to finish by Octobe. 他的目标是在十月前完成。
- 考试辅导
