against the purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

"against the purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that works counter to what is expected, such as "Her attempts to save money instead resulted in higher costs, which was completely against the purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I think that goes against the purpose of what we're trying to do".

The New York Times

He criticised the current system of incarceration as going completely against the purpose of youth justice, telling the hearing yesterday Don Dale in particular was run "like a human storage facility".

The Guardian

"It goes against the purpose and point of Model U.N. and, for that matter, the real U.N.," said Phill Venice, a University of Pennsylvania senior who has participated in 37 conferences.

The New York Times

This unsanctioned change of proteins went against the purpose of the posted weekly menu, which was to lower daily stress by preparing the children for their dinners ahead — no surprises, no potential conflicts with lunch — and while Robert himself never trusted anyone who pushed product, whether stocks or warranties or halibut, he decided to let the matter pass without correction.

The New Yorker

Thus, information sharing may work against the purpose of gaining trust through transparency.

Government Information Quarterly

In defending Obama, Orstein became the sole author of McCain-Feingold to offer sympathy for a position that, at least in the spirit, goes against the purpose of the campaign finance legislation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I'm talking about crying while walking around, banging-his-head-against-the-cabinets-on-purpose cranky.

Huffington Post

Politically motivated terrorism, defined as the use of violence against noncombatants for the purpose of demoralization and intimidation, is an extremely old phenomenon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 701 there followed his most famous campaign, against Syria and Palestine, with the purpose of gaining control over the main road from Syria to Egypt in preparation for later campaigns against Egypt itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Omar Barghouti, a Palestinian who supports boycotts and sanctions against Israel, said the purpose of the railway was "to make the colonial settlements far more attractive by cutting travel time to the city centre".

The Guardian

Against this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution and the continuous development of ECE in the policy context of Hong Kong.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "against the purpose", ensure the context clearly establishes the intended purpose to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whose purpose is being contradicted: "The new policy, against the company's stated purpose of inclusivity, has led to employee dissatisfaction."

Common error

Avoid using "against the purpose" when the situation simply involves an unexpected outcome. The phrase implies a direct contradiction or opposition to a consciously defined objective, not just a deviation from a predicted result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against the purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating that an action or situation is in opposition to a particular aim or intention. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "against the purpose" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes an action or situation contradicting a stated aim. While relatively rare, its usage spans across news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting that it effectively conveys a sense of opposition to a defined objective. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the purpose to avoid ambiguity and consider alternative expressions like "contrary to the objective" or "defeating the object" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counter to the intention

This option focuses on the conflict with the original intention behind an action or plan.

contrary to the objective

This alternative emphasizes the opposition to a specific objective rather than a broader purpose.

defeating the object

This is an idiomatic expression that highlights the act of nullifying the intended outcome.

subverting the goal

This phrase suggests an active undermining of a specific goal.

undermining the rationale

It emphasizes the weakening of the underlying reason or justification.

working at cross-purposes

This idiom indicates conflicting aims, often between different parties or actions.

in opposition to the design

This phrase highlights a conflict with the intended design or plan.

negating the reason

This option stresses the cancellation or invalidation of the original reason.

invalidating the aim

This phrase underscores the act of rendering the aim void or ineffective.

acting against the spirit

This idiom signifies a violation of the underlying principle or ethos.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "This action is against the purpose"?

You could say "This action "contradicts the objective"", "defeats the object", or "undermines the goal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "against the purpose" in formal writing?

Yes, "against the purpose" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, ensure the context makes the intended purpose clear. Consider stronger alternatives like "contrary to the intention" for added precision.

What is the difference between "against the purpose" and "unintentional"?

"Against the purpose" implies an action directly opposes a specific, intended outcome. "Unintentional" simply means an action was not planned, regardless of its effect on a purpose. They are not interchangeable. For example, If you unintentionally double-booked, you should explain why it was unintentional.

Can I use "against the purpose" to describe accidental outcomes?

No, "against the purpose" is used to describe something that actively works in opposition to a planned or stated aim. If an outcome is simply accidental, terms like "unintended consequence" or "unforeseen result" are more appropriate.