bad purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intention or goal that is considered immoral, harmful, or unethical. Example: "His actions were driven by a bad purpose, leading to negative consequences for everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It will cover up their bad purpose, and they might get promoted," he said.

The New Yorker

He told me that he was "grieved that good science, which has helped many people overcome depression, may have been used for such a bad purpose as torture".

The New Yorker

Mr. Cantor said the Constitution contained "no requirement that anyone allow someone to come into their home, for a good or a bad purpose".

The New York Times

At least two courts have specifically approved jury instructions essentially stating that an act of infringement done "willfully" means an act voluntarily and purposely done with specific intent to do that which the law forbids, that is to say, with bad purpose either to disobey or disregard the law.

Harvard University

"Casey is careful to say you shouldn't be able to have a bad purpose," she said.

Huffington Post

Abuse, on the other hand, is improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is dual-use research, meaning research that can be used for good and bad purposes.

The New York Times - Health

The form she highlights -- and it is one that has, she knows, been put to bad purposes — is patriotism.

The New York Times

"By nature, a tool like that can be used for good or bad purposes," Mr. Yan said by e-mail.

The New York Times - Tech

It can be used for good and bad purposes.

TechCrunch

Dual use is defined as research that could be used for good or bad purposes.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bad purpose", ensure the context clearly establishes the intention as morally wrong or harmful. Stronger alternatives like "malicious intent" or "evil purpose" may be more suitable depending on the degree of negativity you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "bad purpose" when a more specific description of the intention is possible. Instead of saying someone had a "bad purpose", clarify whether it was to deceive, harm, or exploit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad purpose" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "purpose". It is typically used to describe the motivation or intention behind an action, especially when that motivation is considered unethical or harmful, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

16%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad purpose" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote an intention that is morally wrong or harmful. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates disapproval or criticism of an action's underlying motivation. For enhanced clarity, consider employing stronger alternatives like "malicious intent" or "evil purpose" to emphasize the degree of negativity. When writing, it's beneficial to specify exactly what makes the "purpose" "bad" to prevent vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evil purpose

Emphasizes the malicious or malevolent nature of the purpose; stronger connotation.

wicked purpose

Similar to "evil purpose" but suggests a more playful or mischievous kind of badness.

malicious intent

Focuses on the intent as being driven by malice or spite.

ill intent

Highlights the negativity and harmful potential of the intention.

nefarious goal

Indicates an extremely wicked or villainous aim.

sinister motive

Suggests a hidden and potentially dangerous underlying reason.

corrupt objective

Implies that the aim is tainted by dishonesty or immorality.

unethical aim

Highlights a violation of moral principles or professional standards.

immoral design

Indicates a scheme or plan that is morally wrong.

dishonorable intention

Suggests a lack of integrity and ethical behavior in the planned action.

FAQs

What does "bad purpose" mean?

The phrase "bad purpose" signifies an intention or objective that is considered morally wrong, unethical, or harmful. It suggests that the aim is driven by negative or malicious motivations.

How can I use "bad purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "bad purpose" to describe the motivation behind someone's actions, as in "His actions were driven by a "bad purpose", leading to negative consequences."

What are some alternatives to "bad purpose"?

Alternatives to "bad purpose" include "malicious intent", "evil purpose", and "ill intent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "bad purpose"?

While "purpose" often implies a conscious intention, adding "bad" clarifies the moral quality of that intention. It emphasizes that the objective is not just misguided but actively harmful or unethical.