an official purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific reason or objective that is recognized or sanctioned by an authority or organization. Example: "The funds were allocated for an official purpose, ensuring transparency in the project's execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In our Establishment Clause cases, we have often stated the principle that the First Amendment forbids an official purpose to disapprove of a particular religion or of religion in general.

Cornell University

During a special session of the defense committee in the lower house today, Mr. Scharping, a senior figure in Chancellor Schröder's Social Democratic Party, denied that he had made private trips at taxpayers' expense and insisted that every flight had an official purpose.

The New York Times

An officer or employee who willfully uses or authorizes the use of a passenger motor vehicle or aircraft owned or leased by the United States Government (except for an official purpose authorized by section 1344 of this title) or otherwise violates section 1344 shall be suspended without pay by the head of the agency.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Casing the unit's colors was a tradition formally signifying its inactivation and, for all official purposes, the brigade had ceased to be an active Army unit.

Wikipedia

Last month a policeman in the security detail of the interior minister, Gabriel Oprea, died in a road accident during a trip whose official purpose is being questioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet for all official purposes, there is nothing wrong.

The Guardian

English, it was stated, would "continue to be used for all official purposes until 1965".

Encyclopedia Britannica

For fifteen years, English would also be used for all official purposes (Article 343).

Wikipedia

As a general rule, travel having an official House purpose (as opposed to merely an officially connected purpose) must be paid for entirely with official House funds.

The New York Times

Astonishingly, the IEA is registered as an educational charity, with the official purpose of helping "the general public/mankind".

The Guardian - Opinion

The official purpose of a conference call arranged by the Mets on Monday was to announce the new two-year contract for the knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an official purpose", ensure the context clearly indicates which authority or organization recognizes the purpose as official.

Common error

Avoid using "an official purpose" without specifying whose official purpose it is. For example, instead of saying "The trip had an official purpose", specify "The trip had an official government purpose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an official purpose" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or as a complement. It describes a formally recognized or sanctioned reason for an action or decision, as Ludwig shows in its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an official purpose" is a noun phrase used to describe a formally recognized reason for an action or decision. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and often found in academia and news. While relatively rare, it is a useful term for lending legitimacy and clarity in formal contexts. When using the phrase, be sure to clearly specify the authority that recognizes the purpose as official. Alternatives include "a formal objective" or "a sanctioned goal", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formal objective

Replaces "purpose" with "objective", implying a more structured and defined aim.

a sanctioned goal

Substitutes "official" with "sanctioned", highlighting the authorized nature of the goal.

a designated aim

Emphasizes the act of specifying or assigning a particular aim.

an authorized intent

Focuses on the permission or approval behind the intended action.

a prescribed reason

Highlights the mandatory or required nature of the reason.

a stated objective

Replaces "official" with "stated", emphasizing that the objective has been declared.

a lawful intention

Focuses on the legality and permissibility of the intention.

an acknowledged reason

Emphasizes that the reason has been recognized and accepted.

an established goal

Highlights the fact that the goal is well-known and recognized.

a recognized aim

Similar to "acknowledged reason", but uses "aim" instead of "reason".

FAQs

How can I use "an official purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "an official purpose" to describe the formally recognized reason for an action or event. For instance, "The investigation was launched for "an official purpose" of uncovering fraudulent activities".

What are some alternatives to "an official purpose"?

You can use alternatives such as "a formal objective", "a sanctioned goal", or "a designated aim" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "an official purpose" and "a personal reason"?

"An official purpose" refers to a reason recognized or sanctioned by an authority, while "a personal reason" is a motivation stemming from an individual's own needs or desires.

Is it redundant to say "official official purpose"?

Yes, saying "official official purpose" is typically redundant. The term ""an official purpose"" already implies that the purpose is recognized by an authority, so adding "official" again is unnecessary.