a tool for good

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tool for good" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts and is most often used to refer to something that is helpful or beneficial. Example: Many people believe that education is a tool for good, as it can open doors and create opportunities for individuals to improve their lives.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Football should always be a tool for good".

The Guardian - Sport

Although some saw the orchestra's venture as misguided, many considered it a tool for good.

The New York Times - Arts

Though often a tool for good, Twitter can be used by anyone for virtually any purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was ashamed by that – as a mathematician I love math and I think math is a tool for good".

The Guardian - Books

Internet horror stories about trolling and abuse tend to make headlines, and often for good reason, but a large percentage of Americans mostly see the internet as a tool for good and a way to connect with loved ones.

The Guardian - Tech

Encryption can be a tool for good and evil.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Is the money a goal in itself or a tool for social good?

The New York Times

Cudlipp's saving grace was his desire to use popular, sensational journalism as a tool for the good of society.

The Guardian

At Avaya, Michael A. Dennis, a vice president who negotiated his company's program, argued that phased retirement is a tool for preserving good jobs with benefits.

The New York Times

Nowhere has the narrative been more engaging than around innovations in mobile broadband technology as a tool for social good.

Huffington Post

Or David Miliband speaking to tech guru AJ Keen, on how the use of technology, whether it's mobile phones building business in Africa or Facebook generating social networks across Asia, is a tool for the good.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tool for good", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes "good" within the specific situation. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "a tool for good" without specifying what positive outcome it aims to achieve. Vague statements can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tool for good" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate nominative or object complement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase denotes something instrumental in achieving positive outcomes, as illustrated in examples where concepts like football, math and internet are referred as "a tool for good".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tool for good" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that denotes something used for beneficial purposes. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show that its frequency is rated as uncommon with sources primarily in the News & Media and Science domains. This phrase is useful for communicating approval, emphasizing positive potential and advocating ethical applications. Alternatives include "a means for positive impact", "an instrument for betterment", or "a vehicle for progress", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a means for positive impact

Replaces "tool" with "means" and "good" with "positive impact", emphasizing the result of the action.

an instrument for betterment

Substitutes "tool" with "instrument" and "good" with "betterment", suggesting a more formal tone.

a vehicle for progress

Replaces "tool" with "vehicle" and "good" with "progress", highlighting the forward-moving aspect of the beneficial action.

a mechanism for positive change

Uses "mechanism" instead of "tool" and "positive change" instead of "good", emphasizing the process and outcome.

a resource for improvement

Replaces "tool" with "resource" and "good" with "improvement", focusing on the available asset and its beneficial effects.

a device for constructive purposes

Substitutes "tool" with "device" and "good" with "constructive purposes", emphasizing the intentional and positive use.

an aid for ethical endeavors

Replaces "tool" with "aid" and "good" with "ethical endeavors", focusing on moral and righteous efforts.

a pathway to virtuous outcomes

Uses "pathway" instead of "tool" and "virtuous outcomes" instead of "good", highlighting the route and the morally excellent results.

a channel for benevolent acts

Replaces "tool" with "channel" and "good" with "benevolent acts", emphasizing the conduit and the kind, charitable actions.

a lever for societal benefit

Substitutes "tool" with "lever" and "good" with "societal benefit", highlighting the influence and positive impact on society.

FAQs

How can I use "a tool for good" in a sentence?

You can use "a tool for good" to describe something that has a beneficial impact or purpose. For example, "Education is often seen as "a tool for good" in society."

What are some alternatives to saying "a tool for good"?

Alternatives include phrases like "means for positive impact", "instrument for betterment", or "vehicle for progress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a tool for good" or "a force for good"?

"A tool for good" implies something used intentionally to achieve a positive outcome, while "a force for good" suggests something that inherently causes positive change. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize intention or inherent quality.

What does it mean when something is described as "a tool for good and evil"?

When something is described as "a tool for good and evil", it means that its impact depends entirely on how it is used. The same thing can be used for beneficial or harmful purposes, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations.