dubious purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe intentions or goals that are questionable or suspicious in nature. Example: "The organization was investigated for its funding sources, which were believed to be linked to dubious purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Kennedy is just one of a number of famous people whose body parts were taken, either for good or dubious purposes.

The Guardian

He has also redeemed himself morally by inverting the usually dubious purposes of his special skills, undoing some of the damage he did earlier in the book.

The New York Times - Books

While such presumed value of anorexia and other life-threatening mental illnesses remains unsubstantiated, these views are indeed valuable — for the more dubious purposes of grandiosity and of aggression, directed both toward the self and toward the loved ones also devastated by the destructive process.

The New York Times

Not to mention many downright fakes - accounts set up for spamming and other dubious purposes.

BBC

Marlantes also takes us behind the front lines, to see the way the colonels and majors send their troops into certain death for dubious purposes -- only in hopes of burnishing their own reputations and advancing their careers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

How dare the movies plunder real people's lives for such a dubious purpose?

The Guardian - Film

Could it be that he drummed up his indignation for the very dubious purpose of being entertaining and witty?

The New York Times - Books

Some think of her as a vandal, ripping apart classic texts and distorting them to her own dubious purpose.

The Guardian

Our government was not created so it could spy on every mode of communication, and we shouldn't tailor all technology to serve this dubious purpose.

The New York Times

The country you live in, the parliamentary democracy that ruled it, for good or bad, has been trumped by a plebiscite of dubious purpose and unacknowledged status.

The Guardian - Opinion

We told you last month about how Hi & Lois pilfered the moniker of former CTHC stalwarts Profound Anger for their own dubious purpose--well here's the six-song demo that inspired Chip, fat kid, and other guy to put on some hats and knock out the rock.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious purposes", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the purposes questionable. Providing specific examples or further explanation will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious purposes" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "unethical intentions" or "questionable motives" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious purposes" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "dubious" modifies "purposes". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. The adjective "dubious" adds a layer of skepticism or doubt to the noun "purposes", indicating that the intentions or goals are questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dubious purposes" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe questionable or suspicious intentions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the purposes dubious. If a stronger or more precise alternative is needed, consider "questionable motives", "suspect intentions", or "shady objectives". Always aim for clarity and specificity to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious motives

Similar to questionable motives, but using "dubious" to qualify motives.

questionable motives

Focuses on the underlying reasons, implying doubt about their honesty or ethics.

suspect intentions

Highlights the untrustworthy nature of the aims.

shady objectives

Emphasizes the lack of transparency and potential illegality.

untrustworthy goals

Directly points to the unreliable or deceitful nature of the aims.

deceptive aims

Highlights the misleading or fraudulent nature of the goals.

fishy intentions

Informal and suggests something is wrong or suspicious.

nefarious reasons

Emphasizes wicked or villainous underlying causes.

scheming purposes

Highlights the calculated and manipulative nature of intentions.

dodgy objectives

British slang indicating something is suspicious or unreliable.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious purposes" to describe intentions or goals that are questionable or suspicious. For example: "The funds were used for "dubious purposes", raising concerns about corruption."

What are some alternatives to "dubious purposes"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "questionable motives", "suspect intentions", or "shady objectives".

Is it better to say "dubious reasons" or "dubious purposes"?

The choice depends on the context. "Dubious reasons" refers to the justification behind an action, while "dubious purposes" refers to the intended goals. Both are grammatically correct but have slightly different meanings. For example: "The company gave "dubious reasons" for the layoff", vs "The funds were diverted for "dubious purposes"".

What makes the phrase "dubious purposes" effective in writing?

The phrase "dubious purposes" is effective because it succinctly conveys skepticism or disapproval regarding the intentions behind an action or plan. Ensure you provide context so the reader clearly understands the nature of the "dubious" element.