illegal purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illegal purpose" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where an action or agreement is intended to achieve something unlawful. An example is: "The contract was deemed void because it was created for an illegal purpose." Alternative expressions include "unlawful intent" and "illicit aim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A central question for the prosecution is whether Minin knew the plane was being used for this illegal purpose.

The Guardian

If the appellee had asked for an affirmance it is clear that it must have been denied because of the illegal purpose of the suit.

Cornell University

There is no suggestion that Blairmore was using them for any illegal purpose, and they were common among offshore funds at the time.

The Guardian

But since money is fungible, any support the United States provides has the potential to free up funds elsewhere that can be used for this illegal purpose.

The Washington Post

Since then, Mr. Quinn and his family have taken legal action to contest the validity of his bank debts, arguing that the €2.8 billion, or $3.9 billion, was lent for the "illegal purpose" of propping up Anglo's own share price.

The New York Times

A prosecutor argued that Mr. Ghailani needed only to know there was "some illegal purpose" to his activity, even if he had kept himself in the dark about its ultimate ends.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Illegal purposes," the Executioner explained.

The New York Times

Those information could be exploited by third party for illegal purposes.

Journal of Systems and Software

A disclaimer at the site warns against using the service for abusive, offensive or illegal purposes.

The New York Times - Tech

The more sinister forms include Trojan horses and programs that secretly monitor your computer system for unethical or illegal purposes.

The New York Times - Tech

She was convicted on all counts she faced: money laundering, using the mail for illegal purposes and racketeering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger, more specific synonyms if the exact nature of the illegal activity is known to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Don't use "illegal purpose" as a blanket term without specifying what makes the purpose illegal. Vague descriptions weaken your argument and could be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal purpose" functions as a noun phrase, where "illegal" modifies the noun "purpose". It's used to describe the reason or aim behind an unlawful act. Ludwig indicates that it is a valid and common phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

31%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illegal purpose" is a frequently used term that describes the intention behind an unlawful action. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, carrying a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts ranging from formal legal discussions to everyday news reporting. While alternatives like "unlawful objective" or "criminal intent" can offer nuanced shades of meaning, it's crucial to specify the unlawful nature of the purpose to avoid vagueness. By maintaining clarity and specificity, writers can effectively convey the gravity and implications associated with actions driven by an "illegal purpose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful objective

Replaces "purpose" with "objective" while maintaining the illegal connotation.

illicit motive

Substitutes "purpose" with "motive", focusing on the underlying intention being illegal.

criminal intent

Emphasizes the criminal nature of the intention instead of the purpose itself.

prohibited aim

Uses "aim" instead of "purpose", highlighting the forbidden aspect of the goal.

wrongful design

Replaces the single word "purpose" with a synonymous multiword expression.

illegal scheme

Focuses on the planned aspect of the illegal activity.

unauthorized goal

Uses "goal" as a synonym for "purpose", stressing the lack of authorization.

illicit operation

Shifts the focus to the undertaking of something illegal, rather than just the purpose.

criminal enterprise

Broader term indicating a sustained illegal activity.

corrupt intention

Highlights the moral depravity behind the purpose.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "illegal purpose"?

You can use alternatives such as "unlawful objective", "criminal intent", or "illicit motive" depending on the context.

How is "illegal purpose" used in a sentence?

"Illegal purpose" describes the intention behind an unlawful action, for example: "The funds were used for the "illegal purpose" of financing terrorism".

What's the difference between "illegal purpose" and "unethical goal"?

"Illegal purpose" refers to activities against the law, while "unethical goal" refers to actions that violate moral principles but aren't necessarily against the law.

Can providing something that's used for an illegal act cause me to be charged with aiding that act?

Yes, if you're aware that someone will use that thing for an "illegal purpose". The prosecution has to prove you knew the use of that thing would be illegal and that you intended to help that person do that illegal thing.