for either purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for either purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing two distinct objectives or reasons for an action or decision. Example: "The new policy can be implemented for either purpose: improving efficiency or reducing costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"But it's not fit for either purpose.

The New Yorker

The device is symmetric, so either signal electrode can be used for either purpose.

Nature

The present paper shows how the IS-LM model can be used for either purpose.

Yale University

He was asked whether he was getting ready for a photo shoot or the opera and he replied that his costume wasn't meant for either purpose.

The New York Times

MSP430s have a uniform 16-bit architecture: Both addresses and data are 16 bits wide, which makes it trivial to use any of the general-purpose registers in the CPU for either purpose.

MSP430 Microcontroller Basics

The intergenerational report, until recently billed as a document that would shock voters into accepting deeper spending cuts, is now being used to justify not cutting any more, backed by a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign so meaningless it is fit for either purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The elderly and their young grandchildren would be encouraged to use Skype or Facetime to communicate with each other, eliminating the need for either to travel for that purpose.

Huffington Post

But, of course, consumer apps used for college communication aren't fit-for-purpose, either.

TechCrunch

In the US, dispensaries must apply for either a medical or recreational license or both to supply Cannabis for either or both purposes.

Nature

He was intrigued by the theater's creation of worlds, based on the human imagination, either for purposes of escaping what's difficult in life or for purposes of confronting difficult truths.

Columbia University

Local, regional or national Government departments can raise money for any public purpose (either for new projects or programmes or to reinforce existing ones) through sovereign Social Bonds and financial contributions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for either purpose" to clearly indicate that a single action or item can fulfill one of two distinct goals or intentions. This clarifies the flexibility or dual functionality of what you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "for either purpose" when you actually mean that something serves both purposes simultaneously. "Either" implies a choice between two options, whereas "both" indicates that both options are applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for either purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the reason or aim behind an action, specifying that there are two potential purposes, and the action is applicable to at least one of them. As seen in Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for either purpose" serves as a useful tool for expressing that something is designed to fulfill one of two possible intentions. While Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. As the examples show, it appears primarily in scientific, news, and academic contexts to clarify intent and demonstrate flexibility. When using this phrase, be mindful of the distinction between "either" and "both" to ensure accuracy. When you actually mean that something serves both purposes simultaneously it's better to use another phrase such as "for both reasons".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for either objective

Replaces "purpose" with "objective", a synonym that maintains the same meaning.

for either of these reasons

Highlights the dual nature of the motivating factors.

for either goal

Substitutes "purpose" with "goal", suggesting a desired outcome.

for both reasons

Emphasizes that both purposes are being considered, not just one.

to serve either function

Highlights that it fulfills one of two functions.

to achieve either aim

Focuses on achieving one of two possible aims.

for both intentions

Implies that there are two distinct aims motivating the action.

for each of these intentions

Emphasizes individual intentions.

for each aim

Highlights each individual aim separately.

for both of these ends

Formally suggests the two aims are the desired results.

FAQs

How can I use "for either purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "for either purpose" to indicate that something is suitable for two different uses or goals. For example, "The device can be used "for either purpose": measuring temperature or detecting motion".

What are some alternatives to "for either purpose"?

Alternatives include phrases like "for both reasons", "for either objective", or "to serve either function".

Is it correct to say "for either purposes"?

No, the correct phrase is "for either purpose". The word "purpose" should be singular when used with "either", as it refers to one of two options, not multiple instances of each.

What's the difference between "for either purpose" and "for both purposes"?

"For either purpose" indicates that something is intended for one of two separate goals, whereas "for both purposes" means it's designed to achieve both goals simultaneously. The choice depends on whether there's a selection between the two or if they are meant to be achieved together.