for the purposes of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the purposes of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to explain the aim or goal of a certain action. For example, "The committee was convened for the purposes of discussing the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For the purposes of Art.

Cornell University

Or, for the purposes of this movie, Battersea Power Station.

The Guardian - Film

Even if purely for the purposes of research.

The New York Times - Books

Even for the purposes of a newspaper cocktail column?

The New York Times - Style

That is, for the purposes of public packaging.

The New York Times

I have used my strength for the purposes of destruction.

The New Yorker

"For the purposes of this story, you are that character.

The Guardian

But for the purposes of policymaking, it's not so clear.

The Washington Post

Like them, too, they met for the purposes of worship.

The New York Times - Books

For the purposes of measurement, it will be excellent.

The New Yorker

Would you please define "assets" for the purposes of Fafsa?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the purposes of" to clearly define the scope or limitations of a discussion, study, or legal agreement. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While correct, "for the purposes of" can sound overly formal in casual contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to" or "for" when the intent is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the purposes of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the reason, intent, or objective behind a statement, action, or definition. It serves to clarify the scope or limitations being applied, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for the purposes of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce the reason, intent, or objective behind a statement, action, or definition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal, scientific, and academic writing to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. While simpler alternatives exist for informal contexts, "for the purposes of" remains a reliable choice when precision is crucial. The phrase sees frequent usage in Science, News & Media and Academia. Examples show its widespread application in defining scope and setting context across different fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the aim of

Focuses on the intended goal or desired outcome.

in order to

Highlights the intention behind an action.

with the intent to

Emphasizes the planned or intended action.

for the sake of

Implies doing something for a particular reason or benefit.

to the end that

More formal; indicates a desired result or outcome.

with a view to

Common in formal contexts, focusing on a particular goal.

in furtherance of

Suggests advancing or promoting a specific cause or goal.

toward the goal of

Directly points to the intended objective or aim.

so as to

Indicates the reason or purpose for an action.

to facilitate

Highlights the act of making something easier or more possible.

FAQs

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

Use "for the purposes of" to introduce the reason or objective behind a statement or action. For example, "For the purposes of this study, we will only consider data from the last five years."

What are some alternatives to "for the purposes of"?

You can use alternatives like "with the aim of", "in order to", or "with the intent to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "for the purposes of"?

It's appropriate in formal writing, legal documents, and academic papers where precision and clarity are essential. However, in informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives.

Is "for the purpose of" the same as "for the purposes of"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "for the purposes of" is generally used when referring to multiple objectives or a broader scope, whereas "for the purpose of" is used for a single, specific aim.