contrary to intended purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrary to intended purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something does not function as it was meant to or has an opposite effect. Example: "The new policy was implemented, but it turned out to be contrary to its intended purpose, leading to more confusion among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This neglect is clearly contrary to the intended purpose of Weber's dual interests model.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Probably one of the most popular emoji, the smirking face is perhaps closest to its intended purpose when used in day-to-day conversation.

The Guardian - Tech

In addition to its intended purpose (providing a little color and contour to the face), I use this as eyeshadow.

Huffington Post

Redirecting money to "those communities with the greatest need will make the program truer to its intended purpose and less like a general revenue sharing program".

The New York Times

The data management burden is stupendous, and most of that data is irrelevant to the intended purpose.

Forbes

"It is vital that we return our curriculum to its intended purpose - a minimum national entitlement organised around subject disciplines".

BBC

(Real-world mileage will certainly be less for drivers who put the car to its intended purpose).

Los Angeles Times

This absolutely runs contrary to that purpose".

The New York Times

That's nonsensical and contrary to the purpose of detention.'.

Vice

To begin, interpreting CBD to apply to pathogenic viruses may be contrary to CBD's purpose.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

To Klores, that gimmick seemed very likely to accomplish the exact reverse of its intended purpose.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, use specific examples to illustrate how the outcome differs from the intended purpose. For example: "The open-door policy, contrary to its intended purpose of fostering transparency, led to constant interruptions."

Common error

Avoid using "contrary to intended purpose" when the outcome is merely unsuccessful, rather than directly opposed to the goal. If the purpose wasn't achieved but the outcome wasn't the opposite, consider alternative phrasing like 'failed to achieve its purpose'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrary to intended purpose" acts as an adjectival modifier, describing how an action, policy, or object deviates from its original design or objective. Ludwig provides several examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrary to intended purpose" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where an action or object achieves the opposite of its original goal. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing.

Alternatives like "opposite of the intended effect" or "against the intended goal" can be used to convey similar meanings. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the original intent is clearly established and use specific examples to illustrate the deviation. Avoid using the phrase when something is merely unsuccessful, rather than actively working against its intended aim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite of the intended effect

Emphasizes the reversal of the desired outcome.

against the intended goal

Highlights a conflict with the planned objective.

counter to the design

Focuses on a conflict with the planned design.

subverting the aim

Indicates an action that undermines the objective.

in opposition to the objective

Highlights direct conflict with objective.

defeating the object

Shows that the final purpose is being nulified.

working against the purpose

Highlights an action that sabotages the objective.

at odds with the aim

Indicates a contradiction with the objective.

detrimental to the plan

Focuses on the damaging impact to the plan.

invalidating the intention

Illustrates when the intended goal is nulified.

FAQs

How can I use "contrary to intended purpose" in a sentence?

Use "contrary to intended purpose" to describe a situation where the outcome is the opposite of what was originally planned or expected. For example: "The new regulations, "contrary to intended purpose", increased bureaucracy."

What are some alternatives to "contrary to intended purpose"?

Alternatives include phrases like "opposite of the intended effect", "against the intended goal", or "counter to the design" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "contrary to intended purpose" and "unsuccessful in its purpose"?

"Contrary to intended purpose" implies the result is the opposite of what was intended, whereas "unsuccessful in its purpose" simply means the intended outcome was not achieved. The former suggests a negative or reverse effect, while the latter indicates a lack of positive impact.

Is it always negative when something is "contrary to intended purpose"?

Yes, the phrase "contrary to intended purpose" carries a negative connotation, implying that the result is undesirable because it actively undermines or opposes the original aim. Sometimes it can be used for sarcasm.