an extra purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extra purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional goal or intention beyond the primary one. Example: "The project has an extra purpose of promoting community engagement alongside its main objective of improving local infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I feel an extra purpose to prove people wrong, to make them regret not giving me that opportunity seven years ago," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The first one up is the LG Turbo, a fairly standard fare; its got the aforementioned 7.2 HSPA, a microUSB slot for adding a bit of extra purpose to it.

TechCrunch

"He'd take out an extra club on purpose, give it the grunt, then say, 'I really caught that one,' " Cook said.

The New York Times - Sports

In a few cases the caregivers wished to participate immediately on the phone and did not have an extra meeting for this purpose.

BMC Palliative Care

The board has left the decision up to the directors on a quarter-to-quarter basis as to whether to use excess cash for an extra dividend or for another purpose like stock buybacks.

Forbes

Kevin Louey, who chairs the City of Melbourne's economic development portfolio, says: "Melbourne is considered the powerhouse of Australia's social enterprise scene, and businesses that combine trade with a social purpose add an extra dimension to our streetscape".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both George and Julie have other lovers, and an extra bedroom devoted to the purpose; as far as the child will be concerned, these are just Mum and Dad's good friends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would have much preferred that Papa John's completed the proper due diligence, taken that extra step, and understood the audience who needs gluten-free products the most, rather than hopping on a bandwagon for the purpose of an extra dollar".

Huffington Post

That's a luxury reserved only for wealthy politicians who can afford to pay an extra few hundred thousand for image purposes.

The New York Times

Camping in British Columbia once, my friends and I brought an extra tent solely for the purposes of blazing in a cramped, enclosed space.

Vice

That's the price to download Windows 8 Pro and install it without an actual physical copy of the download; Microsoft will also mail you a DVD version of Windows 8 for backup purposes for an extra $15 plus shipping and handling.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an extra purpose", ensure the primary purpose is clearly defined before introducing the additional one. This helps maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "extra purpose" as more significant than the original intent. The term suggests a supplementary aim, so ensure it remains secondary in emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extra purpose" functions as a noun phrase, where "extra" modifies the noun "purpose". It describes an additional or supplementary aim, goal, or reason. As seen in the example provided by Ludwig, it can indicate a secondary objective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extra purpose" is a phrase used to describe an additional or supplementary goal alongside a primary one. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science-related discussions. Although not very common, its usage is clear. To enhance writing, ensure the primary objective is well-defined before introducing the extra purpose, and avoid overstating the importance of the "extra purpose" in a way that overshadows the original intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional goal

Replaces "purpose" with a synonym, "goal", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

an added objective

Substitutes "extra" with "added" and "purpose" with "objective", both conveying a similar concept of something supplementary.

a supplementary aim

Uses "supplementary" instead of "extra" and "aim" instead of "purpose", emphasizing the idea of something that completes or enhances.

a secondary intention

Replaces "extra" with "secondary" and "purpose" with "intention", suggesting a less prominent but still relevant aim.

a further reason

Shifts the focus to the rationale behind an action, rather than the specific goal itself.

an auxiliary motive

Replaces "purpose" with "motive" and uses "auxiliary" instead of "extra", highlighting the underlying motivation.

a bonus function

Emphasizes the functional aspect of the extra purpose, suggesting an additional capability or use.

a dual objective

Suggests that there are two objectives instead of one, with the 'extra' implied.

a side benefit

Highlights the advantageous outcome that arises in addition to the main purpose.

an ancillary target

Focuses on the target or desired outcome, describing it as secondary or supporting.

FAQs

How can I phrase something to indicate it has "an extra purpose"?

You can indicate that something has "an extra purpose" by using phrases such as "an additional goal", "a supplementary aim", or "a secondary intention", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "an extra purpose" and "a main purpose"?

"An extra purpose" implies a supplementary or additional goal, while "a main purpose" refers to the primary or principal objective. Something can have both a main purpose and an additional goal.

Is it redundant to say "an extra purpose" if the purpose is already implied?

It is not necessarily redundant. Using "an extra purpose" clarifies that there's a secondary aim beyond the obvious or primary one. It adds emphasis and makes the intention explicit.

Can "an extra purpose" be as important as the primary purpose?

While "an extra purpose" implies a secondary or supplementary aim, its importance can vary depending on the context. However, by definition, it should not overshadow the main objective, but can become relatively important.