designed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been created or adapted with a specific purpose in mind. For example, "The new curriculum is designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were designed to exclude.

The New Yorker

It's designed to do that.

The New York Times

It's not designed to.

The Guardian - Music

We're designed to move.

The New York Times - Health

It's designed to alienate no one.

The New York Times - Arts

This was designed to protect homosexuals.

The New Yorker

You write fiction designed to dupe imbeciles.

The New York Times - Magazine

The remainder is designed to stop vehicles.

Independent

These were designed to benefit American exporters.

The Economist

They were designed to limit judicial discretion.

The Economist

Targets were never designed to achieve those.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to", ensure the purpose is clearly linked to the subject. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, "The software is designed to improve efficiency" is more effective than "The software is designed."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "designed to" in passive constructions that weaken the writing. Instead of "The project was designed to be completed by next year", try "The project aims to be completed by next year" for a more direct and active tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action or design. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designed to" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express the intended purpose or function of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While alternatives like "intended to" or "meant to" exist, "designed to" provides a clear and direct way to communicate the intent behind a design or action. Ensure clarity by linking the purpose directly to the subject and avoid overuse in passive constructions for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to

Focuses on the purpose or plan behind the design, emphasizing the aim or goal.

meant to

Similar to 'intended to' but can also imply a weaker expectation or hope.

created for

Highlights the act of creation with a specific purpose in mind.

built for

Emphasizes the construction or assembly aspect of the design.

engineered for

Implies a more technical or precise design process.

developed for

Suggests a gradual process of improvement and refinement leading to the design.

fashioned to

Emphasizes the careful crafting or shaping of the design.

tailored to

Highlights the customization or adaptation of the design to specific needs.

adapted to

Focuses on the modification of something existing to fit a new purpose.

configured to

Suggests a system or setup that is arranged for a specific function.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to" in a sentence?

Use "designed to" to express the intended purpose or function of something. For instance, "This tool is designed to simplify the process".

What are some alternatives to using "designed to"?

You can use alternatives like "intended to", "meant to", or "created for" to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "designed to" do?

While not always mandatory, specifying the purpose clarifies the function and intent, making your writing more precise and informative. Omitting it can sometimes lead to ambiguity.

Which is correct, "designed to" or "design for"?

"Designed to" is generally used to express the intended purpose, while "design for" usually implies the target audience or context. For example, "This app is designed to simplify tasks" versus "This app is designed for students".