an end in and of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

"an end in and of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to an action, situation, or goal that has its own inherent value and is not just a means to a further end. For example: "Getting the degree was an end in and of itself; I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

It is an end in and of itself".

The New York Times - Arts

Transportation is a means, not an end in and of itself, and must be planned accordingly.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

But what I hadn't anticipated was that frugality would become an end in and of itself.

The Guardian - Money

Never was money assigned its own value and never was it seen as an end in and of itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

This agenda, with a deadline of 2030, emphasizes inclusion not just as an end in and of itself but as critical to development effectiveness.

Harvard University

This book-length project explores how revolution went from being the means toward a constitutional settlement, to becoming an end in and of itself.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Unlike gangs in Europe or Canada who largely hold territory so that they can control the illegal drug markets in that area, US gangs see holding territory as an end in-and-of-itself.

BBC

End of chance, end of inning, and not much later, end of game.

The New York Times - Sports

Cross the thick end in front of the thin end.

WikiHow

In an ending worthy of "St.

The New York Times

It ended in a blaze of anonymity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an end in and of itself" to emphasize that something is valuable for its own sake, not merely as a step towards achieving something else. This can add depth to your argument and highlight intrinsic worth.

Common error

Avoid using "an end in and of itself" when you're actually describing a means to an end. Ensure that the subject truly possesses inherent value, rather than just being a tool or method.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an end in and of itself" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something pursued or valued for its inherent qualities, rather than as a tool to achieve another goal. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an end in and of itself" is a common phrase used to denote something valued for its inherent qualities rather than its utility. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. It's often used to emphasize that something is worthwhile for its own sake, as opposed to being merely a means to achieve another objective. While synonyms like "a goal in itself" or "intrinsically valuable" exist, "an end in and of itself" provides a specific emphasis on intrinsic worth beyond instrumental value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a goal in itself

This alternative simplifies the original phrase by removing redundancy while retaining the core meaning of something pursued for its own value.

a purpose in itself

This variation replaces 'end' with 'purpose', suggesting that the activity or object serves as its own justification.

intrinsically valuable

This phrase shifts from a noun phrase to an adjective phrase, emphasizing the inherent worth of something.

an intrinsic value

This option highlights the inherent value of something, focusing on its internal worth rather than its instrumental use.

a value on its own merits

Directly asserts that the thing in question has positive qualities that are not derived from external factors.

a self-justifying aim

This highlights the aim is warranted in itself, needing no further explanation.

something of inherent worth

Focuses on the built-in, undeniable value or importance of the object or action in question.

a worthwhile pursuit

Replaces the abstract concept with a more concrete idea of actively chasing or engaging in something.

a self-rewarding activity

Suggests the activity provides its own gratification and satisfaction.

a complete justification

This alternative suggests that the action or object requires no external reason or validation because it's already fully justified.

FAQs

How can I use "an end in and of itself" in a sentence?

You can use "an end in and of itself" to describe something that is valuable or desirable for its own sake, rather than as a means to achieve something else. For example: "For her, learning was "an end in and of itself", not just a path to a better job".

What are some alternatives to saying "an end in and of itself"?

Alternatives include "a goal in itself", "intrinsically valuable", or "a purpose in itself". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "an end in and of itself"?

While it might seem redundant, the phrase emphasizes that something is not just a means to something else but has inherent value. The repetition reinforces this idea.

What's the difference between "an end in and of itself" and "a means to an end"?

"An end in and of itself" describes something valued for its own sake, while "a means to an end" refers to something done only to achieve a different goal. For example, studying purely out of curiosity is "an end in and of itself", whereas studying to get a good grade is a means to an end.