for what purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'for what purpose' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking what the objective or intent of an action is. For example, "I saw you talking to him, for what purpose?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And for what purpose?

The New Yorker

Q: For what purpose?

The New Yorker

Why — for what purpose?

Harvard Business Review

"For what purpose?" the prosecutor asked.

The New York Times

For what purpose did he pry?

The New Yorker

Who romanced whom and for what purpose?

The New York Times

For what purpose?" Mr. Gingrey asked.

The New York Times

"For what purpose?" he said.

The New Yorker

If so, for what purpose?

University of California, Berkeley

DR. EXNER: For what purpose?

Yale University

For what purpose are they being used?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for what purpose", ensure the context clearly indicates the action or decision you are questioning. This prevents ambiguity and makes your inquiry more direct and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "for what purpose" when a simpler 'why' suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or even accusatory, especially in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for what purpose" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to inquire about the reason or aim behind an action. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in asking about objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "for what purpose" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to inquire about the intent or goal behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and serves to seek clarification or justification. While it is commonly found in neutral to formal contexts like News & Media and Academia, it may be perceived as overly formal in casual conversations. Remember to use it when you specifically want to understand the objective or aim, rather than simply asking 'why'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with what intention

Focuses on the mental state or aim behind an action, rather than the broader purpose.

to what end

Emphasizes the final result or goal that is being pursued.

what is the reason for

Directly asks for the cause or justification behind something.

what's the objective

Highlights the specific target or outcome that is desired.

what is the aim

Similar to objective, but can also refer to a broader, less defined goal.

what's the rationale

Seeks a logical explanation or set of reasons.

why do you ask

Shifts the focus to the question itself, implying a need for justification.

on what grounds

Asks for the basis or justification for a decision or action.

what motivates this

Explores the underlying drives or incentives behind an action.

what's the point

Challenges the value or relevance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "for what purpose" in a sentence?

Use "for what purpose" to inquire about the reason or intention behind an action. For instance, "The funds were allocated, but "for what purpose"?"

What is a more informal way to ask "for what purpose"?

In informal settings, you could ask "why?" or "what for?" which are shorter and more direct alternatives.

Which is more appropriate, "for what purpose" or "why"?

"For what purpose" is more formal and emphasizes the intent behind an action, while "why" is a more general inquiry about the reason.

What's the difference between "for what reason" and "for what purpose"?

"For what reason" seeks the cause or explanation, while ""for what purpose"" focuses on the intended outcome or goal.