a key purpose of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key purpose of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main or significant reason for something, often in formal or academic contexts. Example: "A key purpose of this research is to explore the effects of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

A key purpose of the insider-trading prosecutions is deterrence.

The New Yorker

Analysts believe a key purpose of the Iranian strategy is to exacerbate divisions between the six negotiating nations.

The Guardian

To paraphrase the 17th-century poet John Milton in his treatise supporting divorce, a key purpose of marriage is joyful companionship; a fraught union violates the point.

The New York Times

The new provision "will resolve that uncertainty on a permanent basis, which one would hope would be a key purpose of patent reform".

The New York Times

A key purpose of this conversation is to correct any misconceptions children may have picked up while at the same time offering more concrete information.

University of California, Berkeley

Anna Vignoles, professor of education at the University of Cambridge, who is co-authoring the report with Neil Shephard, professor of economics at Oxford, says a key purpose of the project is to improve information for students.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In contrast, an interpretive approach, such as meta-ethnography, is not best suited to a key purpose in QI, namely production of actionable messages to inform practice.

BMJ Quality and Safety

A key purpose is to characterize the influence of defects on the failure of laminates, both statically and dynamically tested.

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

The key purpose of a trademark is to identify the products of its owner.

The Times

In essence, all organisations exist with a purpose, and it is predominantly the case that the key purpose of any organisation is to generate profits and thrive economically.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

The key purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review on studies conducted in the area of human detection process of a visual surveillance system.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key purpose of", ensure that the purpose you're highlighting is indeed a significant or primary reason for something. Avoid using it for minor or secondary objectives.

Common error

Avoid using "a key purpose of" when describing something with multiple equally important purposes. It's best used when there is a clearly dominant objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key purpose of" functions as an introductory phrase that highlights a significant or primary intention, aim, or reason behind an action, event, or entity. This structure allows the speaker or writer to emphasize the importance of a particular purpose among possibly many, directing focus and setting context, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key purpose of" is a useful way to introduce a significant reason or objective, primarily used in formal and scientific contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and relatively common, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While similar phrases like "a primary function of" or "a main objective of" offer slight variations in nuance, "a key purpose of" is suitable for emphasizing the importance of a particular goal. When employing this phrase, ensure that the purpose highlighted is indeed a primary one, avoiding its use for minor aspects. It's also essential to remember to avoid overstating importance when purposes are equivalent in value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary function of

Focuses on the operational role rather than intent.

a main objective of

Emphasizes a specific goal to be achieved.

a central aim of

Highlights the core intention or goal.

a principal reason for

Focuses on the justification or cause.

a core intent of

Emphasizes the underlying intention.

a major goal of

Highlights the significance of the objective.

a critical aspect of

Focuses on an important element or feature.

a fundamental role of

Stresses the basic or essential function.

a chief cause of

Highlights the main reason or origin.

a driving force behind

Emphasizes the impetus or motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "a key purpose of" in a sentence?

You can use "a key purpose of" to introduce the main reason or objective behind something. For example, "A key purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What are some alternatives to "a key purpose of"?

Alternatives include "a primary function of", "a main objective of", or "a central aim of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "a key purpose of" or "the key purpose of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a key purpose of" implies that there may be other purposes, while "the key purpose of" suggests that it is the single, most important purpose.

What's the difference between "a key purpose of" and "the main purpose of"?

"A key purpose of" and "the main purpose of" are very similar. "A key purpose of" suggests one of several important purposes, while "the main purpose of" implies the single most important purpose.