a vital purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vital purpose" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it to describe an important or necessary intention, goal, or objective. For example: "The committee had a vital purpose: to ensure the success of the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The main reason for this development is that attacking liberal professors as elitists serves a vital purpose.

The New York Times

So, aid organisations have a vital purpose, but for the ultimate sustainability of a country you need a combination of foreign direct investment and local entrepreneurship".

The Guardian

In a deeply conservative region like the Deep South, they can serve a vital purpose: providing a sense of camaraderie in what many have found to be a hostile environment for nonreligious people.

The New York Times

Today it serves a vital purpose for local indigenous communities that depend on its waters for fish and other resources; in 1997, citing its rich biodiversity, Unesco listed it as a World Heritage site.

The New York Times

Up to a point Reprints Related items Climate change: It may be hot in Washington tooNov 2nd 2006 Economics of climate change: Stern warningNov 2nd 2006 The heat is onSep 7th 2006Mr Cameron's greening of the Tories serves a vital purpose for him and his party.

The Economist

Benzene is one of the most harmful VOCs pollutions which its control emission is a vital purpose in industries and environment.

Arabian Journal of Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There are various physicochemical parameters which play a vital role regarding the quality of groundwater for consumption and irrigation purposes.

Applied Water Science

As the Supreme Court itself said in a landmark 1943 religious liberty case, one vital purpose of a Constitution, as enforced by judges, is to "withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials, and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts.

Huffington Post

It also ponied up at a higher valuation for the strategically vital purpose of blocking Google from hooking up with Facebook.

The New York Times

The channel serves a vital strategic purpose for the BBC, particularly in an era when younger audiences are consuming media in radically different ways.

The Guardian

The regular application of lethal force serves a vital political purpose; but giving full satisfaction to popular sadism has always risked undercutting broad public support for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a vital purpose", ensure that the purpose is clearly defined and its importance is explicitly stated. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a vital purpose" without specifying what that purpose is. This can leave the reader confused about the importance you're trying to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vital purpose" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates the reason or function something is fundamentally important.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vital purpose" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the critical importance of a specific aim or function. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. To ensure effective communication, always clearly define the purpose and its significance when using this phrase. Related phrases, such as "an essential aim" or "a crucial objective", can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential aim

Replaces "vital purpose" with synonyms that highlight the necessity and goal-oriented nature.

a crucial objective

Substitutes "vital" with "crucial" and "purpose" with "objective", stressing the critical nature of the goal.

a key function

Focuses on the functional aspect, highlighting the importance of the role something plays.

a significant role

Emphasizes the importance of the part something plays, rather than a specific goal.

an important intention

Highlights the intended outcome, using "important" as a direct synonym for "vital".

a primary task

Replaces "purpose" with "task", focusing on the work that needs to be done.

a central goal

Stresses the importance of the aim as being central or core to an activity.

a fundamental reason

Focuses on the underlying justification or cause.

a necessary target

Highlights the required nature of the goal to be achieved.

a critical design

Emphasizes a vital plan or arrangement for a particular purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vital purpose" to describe an essential aim or function. For example, "Education serves "a vital purpose" in society by preparing individuals for the future".

What's a good alternative to "a vital purpose"?

Alternatives include "an essential aim", "a crucial objective", or "a key function". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a vital purpose" or "an important purpose"?

"A vital purpose" and "an important purpose" are similar, but "vital" suggests something is indispensable or necessary for success, while "important" simply denotes significance. The choice depends on the degree of necessity you wish to convey.

What makes something qualify as having "a vital purpose"?

Something with "a vital purpose" is critically necessary for achieving a specific goal or maintaining a desired state. Without it, the goal would likely be unattainable or the state unsustainable.