certain purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific goals or objectives for which something is intended or applicable. Example: "The data collected will be used for certain purposes, including research and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, the hospitals can boost those numbers to 88 and 30 for certain purposes.

The New York Times

I think non governmental institutions are today better than governmental institutions for certain purposes.

The Guardian

All maps, he argues, are of their time, of their place, and serve certain purposes.

The Guardian

Every spot on that list is precious, but certain slots are earmarked for certain purposes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hate is destructive, yes, but it is a productive kind of destructiveness that some try to harness for certain purposes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The money from the sale of land is called "bitter money" and cannot be used for certain purposes.

The New Yorker

In its political sense confederacy has generally come to mean rather a temporary league of independent states for certain purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Recently, both the BBC and the media regulator Ofcom have tried to add a third approach – asking whether individual programmes display certain characteristics or fulfil certain purposes.

The Guardian

In fact, while I was writing a chapter of the book it began to dawn on me that for certain purposes the Perceptron was actually very good.

The New Yorker

Over the years, the party of Seward became the party of Theodore Roosevelt, Fiorello LaGuardia, Thomas E. Dewey, Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits, John Lindsay, and (for certain purposes) Michael Bloomberg.

The New Yorker

In the long run, such attempts never succeed in preventing or reversing change; at best they preserve collaterally supposedly purer forms and styles for certain purposes and in certain contexts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain purposes", ensure the context clarifies what those purposes are, either explicitly or implicitly. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "certain purposes" without providing sufficient context. If the specific purposes are not evident, the phrase becomes vague and uninformative. Instead, state the purposes directly or provide enough information for the reader to infer them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain purposes" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is intended or used for specific, though potentially unspecified, reasons. As shown by Ludwig, its use is broad and accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain purposes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is intended for specific reasons, although these reasons may not always be explicitly stated. The phrase finds common usage in both scientific and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, "certain purposes" serves to introduce a degree of intentionality or restriction to the application of something. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to provide adequate context, specifying or implying what those "certain purposes" are.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific aims

Replaces "certain" with "specific" and "purposes" with "aims", focusing on precise objectives.

particular goals

Substitutes "certain" with "particular" and "purposes" with "goals", highlighting the intended outcomes.

designated objectives

Emphasizes that the objectives have been pre-selected or assigned.

intended uses

Shifts the focus to the planned applications or functions.

defined reasons

Highlights the established and explicit reasons behind an action or decision.

predetermined goals

Focuses on goals established in advance.

specialized functions

Indicates functions designed for specific applications.

precise intentions

Highlights very clear and accurate intent.

tailored objectives

Emphasizes that the objectives are customized for a specific need.

selective aims

Indicates that the aims are specially curated and hand-picked.

FAQs

How can I use "certain purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "certain purposes" to indicate that something is intended or used for specific, though perhaps not explicitly stated, reasons. For example: "The funds are allocated for "specific goals"".

What are some alternatives to "certain purposes"?

Alternatives include "specific aims", "particular goals", or "designated objectives", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to explicitly state the purposes instead of using "certain purposes"?

In many cases, yes. While "certain purposes" is grammatically correct, explicitly stating the purposes often enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. However, using "certain purposes" can be useful when the context makes the purposes clear or when you wish to avoid being overly specific.

What is the difference between "certain purposes" and "specific purposes"?

While similar, "specific purposes" emphasizes a higher degree of detail and explicitness than "certain purposes". "Certain purposes" implies that the purposes are known but not necessarily detailed, whereas "specific purposes" suggests that the purposes are clearly defined and articulated.