at a purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a purpose" is not correct in standard written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not commonly used in any context. Example: "He was not acting at a purpose, but rather out of impulse."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Most companies arrive at a purpose through some sort of intellectual exercise, and, over time, struggle to stick to it.

Forbes

VBS follows Art on a road trip leading up to a 'Hot Chocolate' party he's hosting at a purpose built sex bungalow called the Shangri Lust.

Vice

Within two weeks prior to experiments, animals are transported to and housed at a purpose built animal facility and managed as per standard operating procedures.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bahrain has held the race since 2004 at a purpose-built circuit about 50 kilometers, or 30 miles, from the capital city.

The New York Times - Sports

The success of the television series, which was filmed at a purpose-built studio in Cumbernauld, north Lanarkshire as well as on location around the country, comes at a crucial time for the Scottish film industry.

The Guardian

At a purpose-built hybrid plant, this heat can generate 500 to 550 °C steam when combined with the heat already used to power the steam generator, meaning more efficient operation.

MIT Technology Review

It has taken five years, but Formula One returns with fresh hopes, at a purpose-built circuit in a location that has no previous major connection to auto racing.

The New York Times - Sports

It's also possible to transition from the business world into a role at a purpose-driven organization, a route that's attractive to those with a sense of personal mission.

Stanford University

"At this stage of my career I am not going to change my style too much but you are never too old to learn," said the Manchester fighter, who began his training camp for the Malignaggi bout yesterday at a purpose-built gym at the Village Hotel in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Independent

About 1,000 staff work on the C-Series at a purpose-built factory in Belfast, mostly making the plane's wings.

BBC

Ambulances currently based at six stations in Sussex could soon be cleaned and prepared at a purpose-built centre in Brighton.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at a purpose" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically correct alternatives like "with a purpose" or "for a specific reason".

Common error

A common mistake is using the preposition "at" when "with" or "for" is more appropriate to express intent or reason. Ensure the correct preposition is used to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a purpose" is a prepositional phrase, but it is not grammatically sound in standard English. It attempts to modify a verb or noun by indicating intent or reason, but the preposition "at" is incorrectly used in this context. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a purpose" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is better to use alternative phrases such as "with a purpose" or "for a specific reason" to express intention or rationale. Despite some examples found in news and media, its low frequency and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal writing. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy and clarity to effectively communicate your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a purpose

Emphasizes the intention or reason behind an action.

for a reason

Highlights the justification or explanation for something.

for a specific reason

Specifies that there is a particular cause or justification.

with intent

Focuses on the deliberate nature of an action.

deliberately

Indicates that an action is performed consciously and intentionally.

intentionally

Similar to deliberately, stressing the planned nature of the action.

to achieve a goal

Highlights the aim or objective that is being pursued.

in order to

Expresses the aim or objective of an action.

for the sake of

Indicates that something is done in the interest of or for the benefit of something else.

on purpose

Highlights that the action was not an accident.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express intent: "at a purpose" or "with a purpose"?

The correct way to express intent is "with a purpose". The phrase "at a purpose" is not standard English.

Can I use "at a purpose" in formal writing?

No, it's best to avoid "at a purpose" in formal writing. Use more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "for a specific reason" or "with intent".

What does "at a purpose" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "at a purpose" is often intended to convey the idea of acting with intention or having a specific goal. Use more conventional phrases such as "with a goal" or "for a reason" to ensure clear communication.

What are some alternatives to "at a purpose" that emphasize intention?

To emphasize intention, you can use alternatives like "deliberately", "intentionally", or "on purpose" instead of "at a purpose".