a fundamental purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the essential reason or goal behind an action, concept, or organization. Example: "The fundamental purpose of education is to foster critical thinking and personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A fundamental purpose of any university is to pursue the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here, in particular, the human rights that benefit all of us serve a fundamental purpose.

The Guardian - Tech

"Any attempt by courts to draw such a distinction would imperil a fundamental purpose of the First Amendment".

The New York Times - Tech

"A fundamental purpose of the futures markets is to provide an arm's-length mechanism for market participants to discover prices and shift risks associated with products traded in those markets," CFTC enforcement director David Meister said in a statement.

Huffington Post

The second critical moral question is this: "Is legalization (of online gambling or more casinos) designed to incentivize individuals to engage in economic behavior contrary to their interests, making them and their dependents financially less well-off?" A fundamental purpose of state government is, within limits, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors.

Huffington Post

[Participant 15] (a) Meaning of prognostic information Conveying hope was said to be a fundamental purpose of prognostic information.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The photos served a more fundamental purpose: to paper over a past too painful to bear.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clarke and Skidelsky will claim, with absolute justification, that their books have a more fundamental purpose than explaining the causes of today's recession.

The Guardian - Books

Since the nineteen-seventies, the dominant ideology in corporate America has been that a company's fundamental purpose is to boost investor returns: as Milton Friedman put it, increased profits are the "only social responsibility of business".

The New Yorker

Karmin is still best known as an act whose fundamental purpose was to attract attention to itself by denaturing familiar songs and, in a sense, rendering them comedic.

The New York Times - Arts

To those of us who hold this view, a proper foreign policy achieves the same fundamental purpose as a proper economic-social policy: the safeguarding of our liberty.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental purpose", ensure that the statement clearly identifies the most important reason or goal. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what that purpose relates to.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental purpose" when a less critical or secondary purpose is being described. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact when describing genuinely essential reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental purpose" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the essential reason or aim behind something. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, such as defining the purpose of a university or a government.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental purpose" is a noun phrase used to highlight the core reason or aim behind something. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by real-world examples, indicates that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific writing. While the phrase is relatively infrequent, its meaning is clear and authoritative, making it a useful term when emphasizing the most essential purpose. Remember to specify what that purpose is about to ensure clarity and avoid overstating its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Replaces "purpose" with "objective", emphasizing a specific goal.

a core function

Substitutes "purpose" with "function", highlighting an essential activity or task.

a key goal

Replaces "purpose" with "goal", focusing on a desired outcome or result.

an essential aim

Uses "aim" instead of "purpose", indicating an intention or direction.

a main intention

Replaces "purpose" with "intention", stressing a planned course of action.

the principal reason

Emphasizes the reason or justification behind something.

a central tenet

Highlights a basic principle or belief.

a basic rationale

Focuses on the underlying logic or justification.

a critical function

Highlights an activity that is essential or vital.

a chief end

Uses "end" instead of "purpose", indicating the ultimate objective.

FAQs

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

Use "a fundamental purpose" to describe the primary reason or goal behind something. For example, "A fundamental purpose of education is to develop critical thinking skills".

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental purpose"?

You can use alternatives such as "a primary objective", "a core function", or "a key goal" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "the most fundamental purpose"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "the most fundamental purpose" can be redundant. "A fundamental purpose" already implies the most essential reason or goal.

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

"A fundamental purpose" refers to the main, underlying reason, while "a specific purpose" refers to a particular, defined aim. The former is broader and more essential, while the latter is narrower and more targeted.