for personal ends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for personal ends" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is done or pursued for one's own benefit or gain, often at the expense of others. Example: He manipulated the company's finances for personal ends, resulting in financial losses for the company and its employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We believe that the money was taken for personal ends".

The New York Times

But all frauds involve abusing people's trust and diverting corporate resources for personal ends.

The Economist

Soon, too, it came to be used for personal ends, particularly by Maximilien Robespierre, who employed it for the condemnation of his adversaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he added that the ease with which politicians were able to manipulate the political system for personal ends showed the frailty of Romania's political culture.

The New York Times

The tips appear to be an undisclosed misappropriation of client deal information for personal ends, similar to what occurred in O'Hagan.

Columbia University

Carlos Ghosn was arrested for a fourth time today, as prosecutors hit him with new charges of using company funds for personal ends.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We didn't do it for our personal ends.

The Guardian

The PC brought about a revolution, offering the little guy a chance to harness computing power for his personal ends.

MIT Technology Review

The Wars (1977) features the dilemmas of soldier Robert Ross as he attempts to cope with an officer and 130 doomed horses in the midst of World War I. Famous Last Words (1981) is narrated by Ezra Pound's character Hugh Selwyn Mauberley and features noted real (as well as fictional) characters trying to manipulate the catastrophes of World War II for their personal ends.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lance Daly's film builds from there into any medical consumer's nightmare: the doctor, a figure of authority, abusing his access and privileges for his own personal ends, putting the lives of others at risk, all while maintaining the guise of the concerned healer.

Huffington Post

"The prosecution will demonstrate that Mr. Ruto and his syndicate of powerful allies, including his co-accused, Mr. Sang, sought to exploit the historical tensions between Kalenjin and Kikuyu for their own political and personal ends," Ms. Bensouda said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for personal ends", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific resources or actions being directed towards individual benefit, especially if it could be misconstrued as ethical or legal wrongdoing.

Common error

Avoid using "for personal ends" as a blanket explanation without specific evidence. Detail the actions and resources involved to substantiate the claim and enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for personal ends" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the purpose or motivation behind an action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in contexts where individuals are accused of misusing their position or resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for personal ends" is a prepositional phrase used to describe actions motivated by self-interest, often implying a misuse of power or resources. According to Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and commonly appears in news, encyclopedias, and academic contexts, making it suitable for neutral reporting and critical analysis. While the phrase itself is not inherently negative, its usage often carries a connotation of unethical behavior. When writing, it's important to provide specific details to support claims of acting "for personal ends" and avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for selfish reasons

Emphasizes the egoistic and inconsiderate nature of the motivation.

for one's own gain

Focuses on the benefit acquired by the actor, often material or financial.

for self-interest

Highlights the prioritization of one's own needs and desires.

for individual benefit

Stresses the advantage gained by a single person, as opposed to a group.

for private advantage

Suggests the action provides an exclusive benefit, often concealed from public view.

to further one's agenda

Implies a strategic use of actions to achieve a personal goal.

in pursuit of self-gratification

Highlights actions driven by pleasure and satisfaction.

for personal profit

Specifically focuses on financial gain as the primary motivator.

with ulterior motives

Suggests hidden and potentially unethical reasons behind the action.

for egotistical purposes

Emphasizes the inflated sense of self-importance behind the actions.

FAQs

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

The phrase "for personal ends" is typically used to describe actions taken to benefit oneself, often at the expense of others or in a way that abuses a position of trust. For example: "He exploited his position for personal ends."

What are some alternative phrases to "for personal ends"?

Some alternatives include "for selfish reasons", "for one's own gain", or "for self-interest", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to act "for personal ends"?

While often used in contexts implying misuse of power or resources, acting "for personal ends" is not inherently negative. It becomes problematic when it involves exploiting others or violating ethical or legal standards.

What's the difference between "for personal ends" and "for personal use"?

"For personal ends" suggests an action taken to achieve a broader personal goal, which might involve others or resources, whereas "for personal use" typically refers to using something specifically and directly for oneself without necessarily involving others.