a distinct purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clear and specific intention or goal behind an action or statement. Example: "The new policy was implemented with a distinct purpose in mind: to improve employee productivity and satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The rest have a distinct purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

Each of the three recommendations serves a distinct purpose.

Cornell University

We cannot suppose that this change was without a distinct purpose on the part of Congress.

Cornell University

And a nongeographical interpretation provides each word of the five-word phrase with a distinct purpose.

Harvard University

Yet for these veterans of the feminist wars, poker night has come to serve a distinct purpose.

The New York Times

-- Posted by Hugh Prestwood Reading your description of the New Museum, it suddenly became clear to me that these newer celebrations of the trivial have a distinct purpose.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is a pinwheel aberration that flares with a cartoon insanity without any distinct purpose, except to scramble the brains of the viewer so that he or she may adopt the perspective of the robot eye.

Vice

Toggling between the different viewing modes may sound like a lot, but each serves a pretty distinct purpose.

TechCrunch

But among the endless throngs of pasty faces and camera-toting travelers were a number of individuals that I met who were not simply taking in the sites; they had come with a more distinct purpose, to give back for a few weeks/months while at same time absorbing the respective country and its culture.

Huffington Post

As a society with a history of rule by man that stretches back centuries, the law in China serves a very distinct purpose.

Huffington Post

According to the co-opt thesis (chapter 4), the entangled emotional system for disgust was later recruited for an entirely distinct purpose: to help mark the boundaries between in-group and out-group, and thus to motivate cooperation with in-group members, punishment of in-group defectors, and exclusion of out-group members.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a distinct purpose", ensure that the purpose is clearly articulated in the surrounding text to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct purpose" when the purpose is merely incremental or subtly different. Reserve it for situations where the purpose is genuinely unique and significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct purpose" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a complement to a verb. Ludwig examples showcase this phrase describing the intentions behind actions, designs, or creations, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

32%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinct purpose" is a versatile noun phrase used to highlight a clear and differentiated intention behind an action, design, or creation. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. Its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, ensure that the distinctness of the purpose is evident to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "a specific objective" or "a clear intention" to fine-tune the message, and bear in mind Ludwig's insights on its communicative function and neutral-to-professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific objective

Emphasizes the clarity and particularity of the aim.

a clear intention

Highlights the unambiguous nature of the plan or motivation.

a definite goal

Stresses the certainty and tangibility of the target.

a particular aim

Underscores the focused and precise nature of the objective.

a well-defined objective

Highlights the clarity and specificity of the goal.

a unique reason

Focuses on the singularity and exceptional nature of the cause.

a special function

Emphasizes the unique role or task something fulfills.

a set intention

Highlights a pre-determined and unwavering aim.

a discrete function

Emphasizes the separate and individual nature of the functionality.

a singular rationale

Highlights the exclusive and underlying reason for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinct purpose" to describe something that has a specific intention or goal. For example, "The organization was founded with "a distinct purpose": to alleviate poverty in the region."

What are some alternatives to "a distinct purpose"?

Alternatives to "a distinct purpose" include phrases like "a specific objective", "a clear intention", or "a definite goal" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a distinct purpose" or "a unique purpose"?

While both are correct, "a distinct purpose" emphasizes clarity and differentiation from other purposes. "A unique purpose" highlights the singularity and originality of the aim. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "a distinct purpose" and "a specific purpose"?

"A distinct purpose" implies a clear differentiation from other purposes, while "a specific purpose" simply indicates a particular and well-defined aim. The former emphasizes separateness; the latter, precision.