is designed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is designed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the purpose of something. For example, "This app is designed to make online shopping easier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The remainder is designed to stop vehicles.

Independent

The Leash ($40) is designed to help.

The New York Times

"It is designed to break your heart".

The New York Times - Books

BitTorrent is designed to remedy this.

The Economist

"It is designed to be very educational.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is designed to defeat them.

The New York Times

The gonad is designed to mate us,.

The New Yorker

It is designed to work with Facebook.

The New York Times

Il Palio is designed to impress.

The New York Times

"Corrective training" is designed to do that.

The New York Times

But Xerus is designed to make money.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is designed to" to clearly state the intended function or purpose of a product, system, or feature. This helps the audience understand its value and application.

Common error

While "is designed to" is grammatically correct, overuse can lead to a passive voice. To improve clarity and impact, consider rephrasing to active voice where appropriate (e.g., "Engineers designed this feature to...").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is designed to" functions as a purpose connector, linking a subject with its intended function or objective. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it clearly expresses the intent behind the design of a product, system, or feature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is designed to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to explain the intended function or purpose of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Analysis of its usage across various sources reveals its prevalence in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings.

While generally neutral in register, "is designed to" should be used thoughtfully to avoid overuse of passive voice. Consider employing active voice constructions when possible to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives like "is intended to" or "aims to" may offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for more precise communication. Ultimately, "is designed to" is a valuable tool for clearly articulating the purpose behind a design, process, or system.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is intended to

Focuses on the intended purpose rather than the explicit design.

is meant to

Similar to "is intended to" but can also imply expectation.

is created to

Highlights the act of creation for a particular purpose.

is built to

Emphasizes the construction or structure that enables the intended function.

is purposed to

Formally states the reason or aim for something's existence.

is fashioned to

Implies careful crafting or shaping for a particular reason.

serves to

Focuses on the function or role that something fulfills.

aims to

Highlights the goal or objective that something tries to achieve.

functions as

Emphasizes the operation or performance of something.

is used for

Indicates the application or utility of something.

FAQs

How can I use "is designed to" in a sentence?

Use "is designed to" to explain the purpose or function of something. For example, "This software "is designed to" streamline your workflow."

What are some alternatives to "is designed to"?

Alternatives include "is intended to", "is meant to", or "is created to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is designed for" or "is designed to"?

"Is designed for" is used when indicating the target user or application (e.g., "This tool is designed for beginners"). "Is designed to" explains the purpose or function (e.g., "This tool "is designed to" simplify complex tasks").

What's the difference between "is designed to" and "aims to"?

"Is designed to" focuses on the intended function or purpose that was built into something. "Aims to" focuses on the objective or goal that something tries to achieve. For example, "The program "is designed to" improve efficiency" versus "The program "aims to" reduce errors".