expressly to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expressly to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate a specific intention or purpose clearly and directly. Example: "The funds were allocated expressly to support the new initiative." Alternative expressions include "specifically to" and "clearly to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I travelled expressly to take these photos.

The New Yorker

Hadn't I come to New York expressly to be overwhelmed?

The New York Times

Luckily, "Map" was produced by 13P, a company of playwrights founded expressly to avoid this fate.

The New York Times

In 804 Saichō, a Japanese monk, was sent to China expressly to study the Tiantai tradition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I was told expressly to bring only things I really needed," he says.

The New York Times

O'Grady, a two-time PGA Tour winner, came to the course expressly to watch Villegas.

The New York Times - Sports

Any suggestion, though, that the shop caters expressly to debs was undercut by playfully insolent merchandising.

The New York Times

The tall, many-shelved back bar was built expressly to accommodate them.

The New York Times - Food

Promoting a reform expressly to reassure investors, then promptly backing away, was dismally bad politics.

The Economist

She told me how she and Father had gone to Cairo expressly to employ a maid.

The New Yorker

Many came expressly to show that they were angered by the Kremlin's attempted intimidation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expressly to" when you want to clearly and directly state the purpose of an action, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using redundant phrases like "expressly in order to" as "expressly" already implies purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expressly to" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a clause of purpose. It modifies the verb in the main clause by specifying the intention or reason behind the action. Ludwig AI confirms its role in clearly indicating the purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expressly to" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a specific intention or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance clarity in your writing, use "expressly to" when you wish to leave no doubt about the reason behind an action. Remember to avoid redundancy by not adding "in order" after "expressly". For similar expressions, consider using "for the express purpose of" or "specifically in order to". By following these guidelines, you'll use "expressly to" effectively and precisely in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the express purpose of

Highlights the purpose as being the main reason.

solely for the purpose of

Emphasizes that there is no other reason for the action.

specifically in order to

Adds specificity to the purpose and uses a more formal tone.

in order to specifically

Combines the general purpose with a specific action.

precisely to

Highlights the exactness of the reason.

with the clear intention of

Emphasizes the intention behind the action.

with the aim of

Focuses on the goal or objective.

purely to

Implies that the action is done only for the stated reason, without other motivations.

designed to

Emphasizes the planned intention of an action or object.

just to

A more informal way of expressing the reason for doing something.

FAQs

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

Use "expressly to" to clearly state the purpose of an action. For example, "The funds were allocated expressly to support the new initiative."

What are some alternatives to "expressly to"?

You can use alternatives like "specifically in order to", "for the express purpose of", or "with the clear intention of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "expressly in order to"?

While understandable, "expressly in order to" can be redundant. Using "expressly to" is more concise and conveys the same meaning.

What's the difference between "expressly to" and "specifically to"?

"Expressly to" implies a clear and direct statement of purpose, while "specifically to" emphasizes the precise nature of the action. Both indicate intention, but "expressly to" focuses more on the reason behind it.