for good ends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “for good ends” is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a purpose or goal that is beneficial to others. For example, “He worked hard to achieve his goals for good ends.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And even then you have to weigh them; we all tell lies sometimes, perhaps even for good ends, whereas killing, no, you shouldn't do that, ever".

The New Yorker

In cases where the choice involved personally causing harm, even for good ends, destroying the centre of social emotion also destroyed what is regarded by most people as normal moral judgment.Pinning down the location of this part of morality does not answer the more fundamental question of why it evolved the way it did.

The Economist

Almost a hundred and twenty years after they were written, in August of 1892, these lines — speculating that socialists would exploit the cholera rebellions for their own political advantage — have a special resonance, submerged as we are in another season of Presidential campaigning: Repulsive means for good ends make the ends themselves repulsive.

The New Yorker

Berlin regarded such an attitude as not only morally ugly, but foolish: for good ends have a tendency to be corrupted and undermined by being pursued through unscrupulous means.

SEP

Consistently with that, in the dialogue named after him he begins by claiming that what he has to teach is not any system of values, but a technique of persuasion, which is in itself value-free, but is capable of being employed for whatever purposes, good or bad, are adopted by the person who has mastered it, just as skill in martial arts can be used for good ends or bad (456a 457c).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In January 1999, the Hayes Corporation, as it was then known, shut down for good, ending a chapter in PC history.

The New York Times

Nearly a decade had passed since Jocelyn, a vivacious, headstrong woman, had made her husband leave for good, ending their on-again, off-again dance.

The New York Times - Sports

The Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the subsequent passage of the Bill of Rights, followed a decade later by the Act of Settlement, finally – and for good – ended any pretensions that a monarch might have to absolute rule and cemented the separate functions of crown, parliament and courts.

Independent

Over and over, she fled the marriage, staying with family members or friends, only to return to Koontz again, until, in 1914, at the age of twenty-three, she left him for good, ending what would turn out to be her longest relationship.

The New Yorker

A month later, as spring training began, he decided to retire for good, ending his career in baseball.

Wikipedia

Because influence-words are respectful, generally they are good means for accomplishing good ends even when the speaker is unwittingly mistaken.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for good ends", ensure the context clearly establishes the ethical or beneficial nature of the intended outcome. This clarifies your intent and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Do not assume your audience will automatically perceive the "good" in your "for good ends". Explicitly state what those ends are or how they benefit others to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for good ends" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms this, as demonstrated in several examples of it clarifying motivations in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for good ends" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating a purpose or intention geared towards positive outcomes. As Ludwig AI points out, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, particularly when emphasizing beneficial goals. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, indicating its utility in explaining motivations and justifying actions. While not overly common, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing "for good ends", ensure you clearly define what constitutes a "good end" to avoid potential misinterpretations and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with benevolent intentions

Replaces "for good ends" with an emphasis on the intention behind the actions.

for altruistic purposes

Substitutes "good ends" with a focus on selflessness and benefiting others.

to achieve beneficial outcomes

Shifts the focus to the results being achieved, rather than the intent.

in pursuit of positive goals

Emphasizes the active striving towards desirable objectives.

aiming for ethical results

Highlights the moral dimension of the intended outcome.

striving for honorable achievements

Focuses on the respectable and dignified nature of the goals.

with philanthropic aims

Specifies the good ends as related to charitable or humanitarian work.

seeking virtuous consequences

Stresses the morally good effects of actions.

working toward wholesome objectives

Underscores the overall healthy and beneficial nature of the goals.

for the betterment of society

Broadens the scope to emphasize the benefit to the entire community.

FAQs

How can I use "for good ends" in a sentence?

Use "for good ends" to describe actions or motivations intended to produce positive or beneficial outcomes. For example, "She used her influence "for good ends", advocating for social justice and equality."

What's a good alternative to "for good ends"?

Consider alternatives such as "with benevolent intentions", "for altruistic purposes", or "to achieve beneficial outcomes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always clear what constitutes "good ends"?

No, what constitutes "good ends" can be subjective and context-dependent. It's important to ensure your audience understands and agrees with the perceived benefits or ethical considerations behind your stated ends.

Can using questionable means ever be justified "for good ends"?

This raises ethical dilemmas. While some may argue that the ends justify the means, others believe that unethical methods corrupt even the noblest goals. This is often debated in philosophy and practical decision-making.