for intelligence purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for intelligence purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or activities that are conducted to gather, analyze, or utilize information for strategic or operational reasons, often in a governmental or military context. Example: "The agency conducted surveillance for intelligence purposes to assess potential threats to national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Steele asked another officer to photograph the corpse for intelligence purposes.

The New Yorker

It's very likely she'll be interviewed... even if just for intelligence purposes".

The Guardian

As my colleague just said, these diplomatic compounds were being used for intelligence purposes.

The Guardian

State-sponsored attackers could use such details for intelligence purposes, according to Brown.

The Washington Post

*** Sim began to pursue the use of psychochemicals for intelligence purposes soon after he arrived at Edgewood, in 1956.

The New Yorker

The first team questioned him for intelligence purposes, without advising him of his rights, prosecutors have said.

The New York Times

Sim began to pursue the use of psychochemicals for intelligence purposes soon after he arrived at Edgewood, in 1956.

The New Yorker

A logical development following from external broadcasting is the monitoring of foreign broadcasts and their analysis for intelligence purposes.

Britannica

He proceeded to give a general history of the spy agency, which was formed in 1952 to collect information from foreign signals for intelligence purposes.

The New York Times

Mr. Bharara said Mr. Warsame's capture, "his lengthy interrogation for intelligence purposes, followed by his thorough questioning by law enforcement agents, was an intelligence watershed".

The New York Times

In his view, they went after the Boston College archive because "they wanted to get the entire trove, for intelligence purposes".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for intelligence purposes", ensure the context clearly indicates what type of intelligence is being sought and how it will be used.

Common error

Avoid using "for intelligence purposes" as a generic justification for data collection. Be specific about the intended use of the intelligence gathered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for intelligence purposes" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the reason or objective behind an action. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples include collecting data or conducting surveillance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for intelligence purposes" serves as a clear indicator of intent, explaining why specific actions are undertaken to gather and utilize information. Ludwig AI states that it is grammatically sound and commonly used in different writing contexts. This phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Academia", exhibiting a neutral to formal register. The phrase signifies that the data collected is used for strategic decision-making, security assessments, or law enforcement initiatives. While widely accepted, it's crucial to use it with precision, avoiding vague applications and ensuring the specific intelligence goals are clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for espionage reasons

Replaces "intelligence" with "espionage", focusing on secret information gathering.

in pursuit of classified data

Specifies the type of intelligence being sought.

to gather strategic information

Emphasizes the strategic value of the information.

for reconnaissance missions

Focuses on the act of gathering information through observation.

aiming to collect data

Highlights the process of data collection as the main objective.

with the intention of gathering insights

Replaces 'intelligence' with 'insights', suggesting a deeper understanding is the goal.

in an effort to obtain secret information

Focuses on the covert aspect of obtaining information.

for the purpose of gathering information

A more verbose rephrasing maintaining a general sense of information acquisition.

to facilitate data mining

Highlights the extraction of valuable information from larger datasets.

in order to build an intelligence database

Focuses specifically on creating an organized collection of intelligence.

FAQs

How is "for intelligence purposes" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "for intelligence purposes" often refers to the collection of information that may not be admissible in court but is crucial for national security or law enforcement. This can involve surveillance or interrogation techniques that have different standards than those used in criminal investigations.

What are some ethical concerns related to using data "for intelligence purposes"?

Ethical concerns include potential violations of privacy, the risk of misusing collected data, and the possibility of biased or discriminatory outcomes. Balancing national security with individual rights is a key challenge.

What's the difference between using information "for intelligence purposes" and "for research purposes"?

While both involve gathering and analyzing information, "for intelligence purposes" typically implies a focus on security, threat assessment, or strategic advantage, often within a government or military context. "For research purposes" focuses on expanding knowledge and understanding, usually in academic or scientific fields.

What can I say instead of "for intelligence purposes" to sound less formal?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to get the lay of the land", "to figure things out", or "to gather information". These are more informal ways of expressing the intent to collect data or insights.