at its purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its purpose" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it could be used, as the phrase lacks context and does not fit standard expressions. Example: "The project failed to align at its purpose" does not make sense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

People guessed at its purpose.

The New York Times

A featureless instrument that is ruthlessly efficient at its purpose.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Organized and sponsored by the Polaroid Corporation, the exhibition seems to have as its purpose, at least in part, the promotion of Polaroid's place in the history of American photography.

The New York Times

"Now you're no longer looking at the object, but you're looking at what its purpose is in life".

The New York Times

Eventually you will notice the gaily colored boba straw served alongside the monster crab and pork bun, sharpened at the bottom to facilitate puncture, and at once, its purpose will be clear.

Los Angeles Times

At first, its purpose was to correct nature, and fool people into thinking that this was what nature made.

The New Yorker

The traditional smartphone interface — a grid of apps on a background — has its flaws (which is why Microsoft's original, modern thinking with its Windows Phone operating system is worth paying attention to), but at least its purpose is clear: touch these things to activate them.

The New York Times

Now he's the subject of a new TNT production, to be shown on Sunday night at 8. Its purpose, like that of any television biopic, is to foist a sense of understanding on us, to replace our fantasy of what the movie star represents with some supposed reality of who he or she actually was.

The New York Times

At first, its purpose was to decrease violence and get people jobs.

Vice

"I'm proud of it," he told me from Dalton Maag, his London typography studio, "but only because it suited its purpose at the time.

The Guardian - Arts

Everyone who uses it finds it pleasant and simple, and although it too tries to do too much (and fails), it's never failed at its primary purpose: playing music.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at its purpose" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "for its intended purpose" or "in line with its purpose" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "at" where "for" or "in" is more appropriate. "At its purpose" incorrectly implies a location or state, while the intended meaning usually relates to the reason or goal, which requires a different preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its purpose" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to modify a verb or noun by indicating the reason or goal. However, due to its non-standard usage, it fails to effectively fulfill this function. As Ludwig AI points out, this is not correct.

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

The phrase "at its purpose" is a grammatically questionable construction that attempts to convey the reason or objective behind something. However, as Ludwig AI explains, it's not considered correct in standard English. Its rare occurrence and lack of clarity make it unsuitable for formal writing. More appropriate alternatives include "for its intended purpose" or "in line with its purpose", which offer greater clarity and grammatical soundness. While some sources might use it, adhering to established grammatical norms will enhance the credibility and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for its intended purpose

Replaces the preposition "at" with "for" and adds "intended" for clarity, making it grammatically sound.

in line with its purpose

Uses "in line with" to indicate alignment with the stated goal, offering a more formal tone.

to achieve its aim

Focuses on the achievement of a goal, substituting "purpose" with the synonym "aim".

to fulfill its objective

Emphasizes the fulfillment of a specific objective, providing a more concrete meaning.

for the sake of its purpose

Highlights the reason or motivation behind the purpose, adding a layer of emphasis.

toward its goal

Indicates direction or progress toward achieving the goal, using "toward" as a preposition.

in pursuit of its purpose

Suggests an active effort to achieve the purpose, adding a sense of striving.

with its objective in mind

Highlights the conscious consideration of the objective, adding a cognitive element.

to serve its function

Focuses on the functional aspect of the purpose, emphasizing its role or utility.

consistent with its intent

Stresses the alignment with the original intent or design, ensuring coherence.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "at its purpose"?

More appropriate alternatives include "for its intended purpose", "in line with its purpose", or "to achieve its aim". These phrases are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning more clearly.

Is "at its purpose" grammatically correct?

No, "at its purpose" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "for its intended purpose" or "in line with its purpose".

When can I use "at its purpose"?

While technically incorrect, you might encounter "at its purpose" in informal contexts. However, for professional or academic writing, it's best to avoid this phrase and use more accepted alternatives.

What's the difference between "at its purpose" and "for its intended purpose"?

"At its purpose" is grammatically questionable and unclear. "For its intended purpose" is grammatically correct and clearly indicates the reason or goal for something.