general purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a broad range of uses or applications without specifying a particular function. Example: "The software is designed for general purposes, making it suitable for various tasks in different industries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And the more modern forms of market research technology are also being used for more general purposes such as lead generation.

TechCrunch

When you go off for general purposes, it gives me a lot of mood swings.

The New York Times - Sports

The company's $93.9 million share of the proceeds will be used for working capital and general purposes, Orbitz officials said.

The New York Times

This year the only contribution for the general purposes of government was the Lib Dems' share from Edwards' will.

The Guardian

The city should not use, as it is doing, the escalating Battery Park City Authority surplus funds for general purposes.

The New York Times

Wrong, says Monsanto: The grain elevator was selling the soybeans as grain for general purposes, not planting.

The Guardian

Even under this rule, many groups were still not regularly disclosing donors, contending that they had contributed for general purposes.

The New York Times

This Latin-based orthography is the one now used for education, newspapers, books, and other general purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ezcode is owned by a New York-based firm called Scanbuy, but it, too, is available free, for general purposes.

The Economist

Stanley won her governors' agreement to allow more senior leaders to attend governing body meetings, including the pivotal finance and general purposes committee.

The Guardian

Some of the most miserable afternoons of my life were spent sitting in the finance and general purposes committee of the British Medical Association BMAA).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intended use of something adaptable to various needs, use "general purposes" to convey its versatility. For instance, "This tool is designed for general purposes and can be used in a variety of projects."

Common error

Avoid using "general purposes" when describing a tool or resource designed for a single, clearly defined task. If a tool is meant only for cutting metal, it's for "specific purposes", not "general purposes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general purposes" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a postmodifier to describe the intended use or application of something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing diverse applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "general purposes" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to denote a wide range of applications or functions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media and science. While alternatives like "broad applications" or "various uses" can be used for variety, it’s crucial to avoid using "general purposes" when a specific application is intended. Understanding its function and purpose helps ensure accurate and effective communication, making it a valuable addition to anyone's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all-purpose

A more concise way to express serving many uses.

broad applications

Focuses on the range of applications rather than the intended uses.

various uses

Emphasizes the variety of uses something can have.

multiple functions

Highlights the different functions that can be performed.

wide-ranging objectives

Emphasizes the breadth of the objectives.

diverse aims

Stresses the variety of objectives that can be achieved.

catch-all

Implies covering a wide range of possibilities, especially as a last resort.

overall goals

Focuses on the overarching objectives.

comprehensive scope

Indicates a wide-ranging extent of applicability.

universal application

Suggests applicability to almost everything.

FAQs

How can I use "general purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "general purposes" to describe something that is not limited to a specific task. For example, "This software is designed for "general purposes" and can be used for a variety of tasks".

What's the difference between "general purposes" and "specific purposes"?

"General purposes" refers to something designed for a wide range of uses, while "specific purposes" indicates something designed for a particular or limited set of uses.

What are some alternatives to "general purposes"?

You could use alternatives such as "broad applications", "various uses", or "multiple functions" depending on the context.

Is "general purpose" or "general purposes" more appropriate?

Both are acceptable, but "general purpose" is often used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "general purpose tool"), while "general purposes" is used as a noun (e.g., "designed for general purposes").