designed to exert

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to exert" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has been specifically created or intended to apply influence, pressure, or force in a particular context. Example: "The new policy was designed to exert greater control over the financial sector."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We've always thought that her situation had all the hallmarks of a spurious, trumped-up case designed to exert diplomatic pressure on a western country.

The Guardian

In "Banknote," consideration of an inert scrap of paper leads to a vision of a vast and frantic system of commerce "turning the gear of custom"; in "Pliers," a simple tool designed to exert control evokes "this despair I feel / When I feel / I've lost my grip, can't manage a thing".

The New York Times - Books

A3 World Briefing A6 NATION CHALLENGED A14-15 White House Considers New Border-Control Agency President Bush appears likely to accept a proposal from his homeland defense advisers to merge parts of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Customs Service to form a new agency designed to exert firmer control over who and what enters the country.

The New York Times

Trade journal the Bookseller said the delay came "as the two companies seek to come to new terms", while US book news site Publishers Lunch reported that the move "appears to be designed to exert pressure on Hachette regarding revised terms of sale, which is the 'agreement' that is being negotiated".

The Guardian - Books

Betamethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid designed to exert a marked glucocorticoid activity.

Journal of Chromatography B

Purpose: Capecitabine (Xeloda) is a new orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate that was rationally designed to exert its effect by tumor-selective activation.

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Internally devised objectives are energising; externally imposed ones are enervating and designed only to exert control, when the policy is supposed to be "arm's length".

The Guardian - Arts

Yet he disputed claims that Turkey was turning away from the West, observing that these were often designed merely to exert "psychological pressure".

The Economist

Most of the systems utilize liquid crystalline materials and are designed as to exert cooperative self-assembling motions to provide uniform or patterned structures and orientations.

Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science

The recent menaces seem designed to achieve two goals: to exert pressure on Greeks to support more mainstream parties in a likely second election, and to prepare markets for the likelihood of Greece's departure if radicals are returned.For now, attention turns to tonight's much-awaited meeting in Berlin between the new French president, François Hollande, and Angela Merkel, the German chancellor.

The Economist

An electronic device was designed to measure the forces exerted by the clinician on the endoscope during colonoscopy.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "designed to exert", ensure that the intended effect is clearly linked to the design itself. This makes the purpose of the design explicit and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid claiming a design will definitively achieve its intended effect without sufficient evidence. Instead, frame it as a potential outcome or a goal, acknowledging possible limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to exert" functions as a purpose clause, explaining the reason or intention behind a particular design or action. It typically connects a subject with the intended application of force, influence, or control. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "designed to exert" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to show an intention or purpose behind the design of something, according to Ludwig AI. It is primarily found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility in describing both tangible objects and abstract strategies. Understanding the nuances of its usage, along with potential alternatives like "intended to apply" or "created to wield", enhances clarity in writing while avoiding potential pitfalls such as overstating the design's guaranteed effectiveness. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is a valuable asset in expressing deliberate intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

built to apply

Simple and direct, focusing on the action of applying something.

intended to apply

Focuses on the intention behind the design, rather than the mechanism of exerting.

created to wield

Emphasizes control, suggesting power dynamics.

developed for implementation

Highlights the practical deployment of a plan or system.

engineered for application

Highlights technical precision in achieving the desired outcome.

structured to administer

Focuses on systematic management and control.

fashioned to exercise

Implies repetitive or ongoing application of influence.

setup to bring to bear

Suggests a resource or influence is being intentionally focused.

contrived to enforce

Suggests a manipulative or forceful application of control.

formulated to impose

Suggests a degree of authority or compulsion.

FAQs

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

You can use "designed to exert" to describe the purpose or function of a system, tool, or strategy. For example, "The software was designed to exert greater control over user data".

What are some alternatives to "designed to exert"?

Alternatives include "intended to apply", "created to wield", or "engineered for application", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "designed for" or "designed to exert"?

Use "designed for" when describing the general purpose. Use "designed to exert" when emphasizing the application of influence or force. For example, "The tool is designed for cutting wood" versus "The mechanism is designed to exert pressure".

What does it mean when something is "designed to exert" influence?

It means the thing was specifically created or modified to have a particular effect, such as changing opinions, controlling behavior, or applying physical pressure. It highlights intention and purposefulness.