Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

Intent, as a noun, is not so much more formal usage than intention, but is
different in emphasis.

It is easier to see the difference when intent is used as an adjective:

John was so intent on crossing the street he did not see the light change.

Although John's intention was to strike, he changed his mind when he saw the
weapon.

The usage note from AH may help:
http://www.bartleby.com/61/4/I0180400.html

SYNONYMS: intention, intent, purpose, goal, end, aim, object, objective
These nouns refer to what one plans to do or achieve. Intention simply
signifies a course of action that one proposes to follow: It is my intention
to take a vacation next month. Intent more strongly implies deliberateness:
The executor complied with the testator's intent. Purpose strengthens the
idea of resolution or determination: ¡§His purpose was to discover how long
these guests intended to stay¡¨ (Joseph Conrad). Goal may suggest an
idealistic or long-term purpose: The college's goal was to raise ten million
dollars for a new library. End suggests a long-range goal: The candidate
wanted to win and pursued every means to achieve that end. Aim stresses the
direction one's efforts take in pursuit of an end: The aim of most students
is to graduate. An object is an end that one tries to carry out: The object
of chess is to capture your opponent's king. Objective often implies that
the end or goal can be reached: The report outlines the committee's
objectives.