for description purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for description purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the reason for providing a description or when clarifying that the description is intended for a specific context or use. Example: "The following information is provided for description purposes only and should not be considered as a definitive guide."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Macy's officials called the charges baseless: officials do use numbers of detentions from the previous year as a guide to what kind of activity to expect, they said, but not to pressure guards; security officials must sign a code of conduct that prohibits racial profiling; and race and gender codes are used only for description purposes when guards communicate among themselves.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, for description purposes this analysis is reported.

British Journal of Cancer

The proposed method is divided into two parts for description purposes.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Descriptive statistics for the habit indices were computed for sample description purposes.

British Journal of Health Psychology

As a consequence, the CAC avoids the definition of landmark points for shape description purposes.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Abstract (parent) type definitions, Container and Parameter, contain a number of common attributes for generic identification and description purposes.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Concrete type definitions, chemical Compounds, biological and chemical Properties, Descriptors, Models, and Predictions, contain attributes for more specific identification and description purposes.

Journal of Cheminformatics

A linear-regression analysis indicated that the independent variables SLR and temperature determined more than 95% of the variation in performance and efficiency of the CW system and offered simple mathematical models for design and system-description purposes.

Ecological Engineering

SEE: Cartoon books for description.

The New Yorker

Experimental results show that, in spite of high error rates, a "bag-of-words" representation of TV contents can be used as description, for the purposes of information retrieval and navigation.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Go online and look for descriptions about their features, and/or purposes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for description purposes" to clearly signal that the information provided is intended to illustrate or explain, not to serve as a definitive guide or instruction.

Common error

Avoid using "for description purposes" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious where a simpler phrase like "to explain" or "just so you know" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "for description purposes" serves as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. According to Ludwig AI, it specifies the reason or intent behind an action or statement, indicating that something is being presented to illustrate or explain, not to provide a definitive guide or instruction. Examples from Ludwig show its use in clarifying the scope and intention of provided information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for description purposes" is a useful tool to clarify the intent behind provided information. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the reason for a description. While grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon. It's typically found in scientific, news, and media contexts. Employ it to signal that details are illustrative rather than definitive, and be mindful of its formality in less formal settings. Alternatives like "for descriptive reasons" or "for informational purposes" can offer similar clarity with slight variations in nuance. Remember that clarity and precision are key when utilizing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for descriptive reasons

Replaces the noun "purposes" with the adjective "descriptive" and the noun "reasons".

for informational purposes

Highlights that the description's primary goal is to inform.

in order to describe

Emphasizes the action of describing as the main objective.

to illustrate the description

Changes the structure to focus on illustrating the description, rather than the purpose itself.

with the aim of describing

States the intention to describe something explicitly.

as a descriptive aid

Presents the description as a tool or aid, altering the focus slightly.

by way of description

Uses a more formal tone to indicate the means of providing information.

for clarity

Shortens the phrase to emphasize the goal of making something clear through description.

as a means of explanation

Shifts the focus from description to explanation, implying a more in-depth understanding.

to provide context

Focuses on supplying background information or context through the description.

FAQs

How can I use "for description purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "for description purposes" to clarify that information is being presented to illustrate or explain something. For example, "The following details are provided "for description purposes" only, and should not be taken as strict guidelines."

What are some alternatives to "for description purposes"?

Some alternatives include "for descriptive reasons", "for informational purposes", or "to provide context", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "for description purposes" in formal writing?

Yes, "for description purposes" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, or professional contexts where clarity and precision are important. It signals that the information is intended to illustrate or explain a concept or item.

What's the difference between "for description purposes" and "for illustration purposes"?

While both phrases indicate that information is being presented to clarify something, "for description purposes" focuses on providing details about an item or concept, whereas "for illustration purposes" suggests that the information serves as an example or visual aid.