in which purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in which purpose" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers due to its awkward construction. Example: "The project was designed in which purpose was to improve community engagement." (This should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, over time, calculative networks, in which purpose and functions are more important than the identity of the ties, become essential (Hite and Hesterly 2001).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

An alternative or supplementary explanation for this finding is simply that quota sampling is not an efficient way to identify the nature of views in society, for which purpose qualitative sampling techniques are better suited.

BMC Medical Ethics

These numbers illustrate the importance of efficient techniques in managing hybrid populations, for which purpose the pedigree procedure is most widely used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two forms were templates, in which the purpose of research was to be filled in upon use.

BMC Medical Ethics

Study protocol design is the first step in every CT, in which the purpose and detailed methods needed to carry out a certain CT are established.

BioMed Research International

After 24 games in which the purpose was to garner points to stay in the competition, the essence shifts.

The New York Times - Sports

Roman history opened up for Shakespeare a world in which divine purpose could not be easily ascertained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In developing countries, a new globalized (and essentially Western) vision of the parent-child relationship is coming, in which the purpose of each generation is to go its own way, leave ancestors to their devices, find one's own truth.

The New York Times

The study also noted that trips to a particular destination like school or work were less likely to result in accidents than those in which the purpose was just to go out for a ride.

The New York Times - Health

THIEF 2: THE METAL AGE -- When Thief first came out, it was like nothing else you could play, a game in which the purpose was not to kill your enemies but to keep out of their way.

The New York Times - Tech

It doesn't conform to the traditional expectation that crime is a Rubik's cube, plot-driven thing in which the purpose of watching the drama is to see who did it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "for which purpose" or "with the purpose of" instead of "in which purpose" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. "For which purpose" often leads to a more concise and easily understood construction.

Common error

Avoid using "in which" when you intend to express purpose. "In which" is typically used to define a location or context, not the reason or aim. Instead, use phrases like "for which" or "with the intent to" to clearly indicate the purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in which purpose" functions as a relative clause, aiming to provide additional information about a noun or situation. However, Ludwig indicates that this phrasing is not correct in standard written English and can be awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in which purpose" is occasionally found in writing, especially in scientific and news contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. As Ludwig highlights, it's more effective to use alternatives like "for which purpose" or "with the purpose of" to express intention clearly. Given its low frequency and the availability of better alternatives, avoiding "in which purpose" is advisable for more precise and standard English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for which purpose

Uses "for which" to express purpose, offering a more grammatically standard alternative.

with the intention of

Replaces the relative clause with a prepositional phrase emphasizing intent.

whose objective is

Focuses on the objective using a possessive pronoun, altering the sentence structure.

in which the aim is

Specifies the aim or goal, providing a clearer description of intent.

where the goal is

Indicates a context or situation where a specific goal is pursued.

with the goal of

Emphasizes the intended outcome or result using "goal" instead of "purpose".

to what end

A more concise and direct way of asking about the purpose.

toward what goal

Directs attention to the specific goal being pursued.

with what intent

Focuses specifically on the intent behind an action or decision.

on what account

Explores the reasons or justification behind a particular action.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "in which purpose"?

Better alternatives include "for which purpose", "with the intention of", or "with the aim of", which are grammatically correct and clearer.

Is "in which purpose" grammatically correct?

No, "in which purpose" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "for which purpose" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

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

Example: "The study was designed, for which purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What's the difference between "in which" and "for which" when describing a purpose?

"In which" typically describes a location or context, while "for which" specifically indicates the reason or objective. "In which the event took place" vs "for which purpose the funds were raised".