a central purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main or primary goal of a discussion, project, or piece of writing. Example: "The central purpose of this research is to explore the effects of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

­Collective security, as opposed to unilateral military action, is a central purpose of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Guardian

These funds support, expand and promote political speech, carrying out a central purpose of the First Amendment.

The New York Times

A central purpose of the sweeping new campaign finance law was to limit the influence of special-interest money in politics.

The New York Times

Mr. Nader said a central purpose of his candidacy was to move the Democratic Party left on labor and other issues.

The New York Times

Indeed, a central purpose of the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT; the predecessor to the World Trade Organization) was to deal with this very issue.

The New York Times

The poll also found that 73 percent said undocumented immigrants should be given a pathway to remain legally in this country, a central purpose of the Senate bill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Moreover, only 21% of the CEO participants strongly agreed that purpose plays a central role in guiding their companies during a crisis.

Huffington Post

But some government watchdogs complained that the motion may be too broad, effectively silencing a committee whose central purpose is shining a light on the operations of lobbyists.

The New York Times

It's easy enough to see why a show whose central purpose is to imagine what goes on inside the head of a 13-year-old boy (without the sex. Very much without the sex) then magnify it to the point of absurdity might keep returning to the armed forces.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was always difficult to see how Rovers, one of the Premier League's most local football clubs, belonged in the portfolio of a company whose central purpose, stated by the father of the chairman, Anuradha Desai, is "to see India in the No1 position on the poultry map of the world".

The Guardian - Sport

"We're no different than a payday or a title-loan company, if our central purpose is collections," Stephen Wallace, a criminal-court judge in his thirties, added.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central purpose" to introduce the primary aim, especially when discussing laws, studies, or organizational missions.

Common error

Avoid using "a central purpose" when describing secondary or less significant objectives; reserve it for the most critical aim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central purpose" primarily functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main or most important objective or intention behind an action, plan, or entity. Ludwig AI indicates that it's commonly used in various contexts to highlight the primary goal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central purpose" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that identifies the main objective or intention. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it serves as a clear and effective way to highlight the primary aim. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall context to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "a primary goal" or "a main objective" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis. Using "a central purpose" helps to focus discussions and analyses on the most important or fundamental intention, with its formality level ranging from neutral to formal depending on the specific source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary goal

Focuses on the desired outcome as the main objective.

a main objective

Emphasizes the importance of the objective.

a key aim

Highlights the significance of the aim.

a core function

Stresses the fundamental role or operation.

a principal intent

Refers to the underlying intention or plan.

a fundamental reason

Indicates the basic cause or justification.

an essential element

Highlights the critical component or aspect.

a chief task

Emphasizes the main responsibility or duty.

a major function

Highlights the important activity or role.

a driving force

Focuses on the factor that propels action or progress.

FAQs

How can I use "a central purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "a central purpose" to define the main aim of something, such as "A central purpose of the law is to protect citizens".

What are some alternatives to "a central purpose"?

Alternatives include "a primary goal", "a main objective", or "a key aim", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the central purpose is" or "a central purpose is"?

Both are correct, but "a central purpose is" is used when one of several purposes is being highlighted, whereas "the central purpose is" suggests there's only one main purpose.

What's the difference between "a central purpose" and "a core purpose"?

"A core purpose" refers to the fundamental and essential reason for something's existence, while "a central purpose" indicates a primary aim or goal. They are similar, but "a core purpose" implies a deeper, more intrinsic reason.