for purposes of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for purposes of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to explain the goal or purpose of something. For example: "The test was administered for purposes of assessing the student's academic progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

For purposes of comparison, consider Shakespeare.

The New York Times - Arts

Black and Hispanic respondents were oversampled for purposes of analysis.

The New York Times

Should semiautomatic weapons designed for purposes of war be banned?

The New Yorker

"Is there a distinction for purposes of discussing victim impact?

The Guardian

For purposes of gathering evidence, process may issue to anyone..

The Guardian

For purposes of official communication, they are utterly unreliable.

The New Yorker

For purposes of this problem, I shall call these sidezoomers.

The New York Times - Magazine

They're not an "online service" for purposes of the act.

The New York Times

Some patients were given sham injections for purposes of comparison.

The New York Times

For purposes of virulence, indeed, the timing was excellent.

The New Yorker

Journalists check the registry for purposes of investigative reporting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, use "for purposes of" to explicitly state the intention behind a specific action or classification.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "for purposes of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "to" or "for" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for purposes of" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing the reason, intention, or aim behind an action, decision, or classification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples from the provided data showcase it setting the stage for comparison, analysis, or specific problem-solving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for purposes of" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to clarify intent, rationale, or motivation across a variety of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business settings, it serves to contextualize information and ensure clarity. While acceptable, the phrase may sound too formal in informal conversations, where simpler alternatives are preferable. Remember to explicitly state your intention to improve the message clarity when using "for purposes of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the aim of

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal, differing slightly in emphasis from the general intention implied by "for purposes of".

in order to

Emphasizes the intent or goal behind an action, closely related but with a more direct connection between action and purpose.

with the objective of

Stresses a specific target or aim, making the purpose more concrete and defined.

toward the goal of

Directly points to an intended target or achievement, clarifying the desired endpoint.

to the end that

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, highlighting the desired result or outcome.

for the sake of

Highlights a cause or reason motivating an action, often implying a degree of sacrifice or dedication.

with a view to

Indicates considering a future outcome or intention, slightly more formal in tone.

in the interest of

Implies acting in favor of something, focusing on the benefit or advantage gained.

in furtherance of

Suggests promoting or advancing a particular goal or cause, emphasizing progress and support.

on behalf of

Signifies acting as a representative or in the place of someone or something, altering the context to representation.

FAQs

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

"For purposes of" is used to specify the reason or intention behind something. Example: "For purposes of this study, we only considered participants over the age of 50".

What can I say instead of "for purposes of"?

Alternatives include "with the aim of", "in order to", or "to that end", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "for the purpose of" instead of "for purposes of"?

Both "for the purpose of" and "for purposes of" are grammatically correct, but "for purposes of" is typically used when referring to multiple reasons or intentions. However, that doesn't mean that one is categorically better than the other.

What is the difference between "for purposes of" and "regarding"?

"For purposes of" specifies intent, while "regarding" simply indicates the subject matter. For example, "For purposes of classification, we separated the data into three groups" indicates intent. "Regarding the classification, the data was separated into three groups" indicates topic.