is only intended for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is only intended for" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase to indicate that something is limited to a certain group or purpose. For example, "This product is only intended for use by doctors in a clinical setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He returns to the fact that the law is only intended for terminally ill people, not those living with disability.

The Guardian

We do not consider private information that is only intended for a subset of all terminals.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Graph routing is ideal for both upstream and downstream communications, whereas source routing is only intended for network diagnostics.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We show that the redefined Liaw's broadcasting cryptosystem recently presented in [J.M. Masque, A. Peinado, Cryptanalysis of improved Liaw's broadcasting cryptosystem, Journal of Information Science and Engineering 22 (Mar. 2006) 391–399] is still insecure in that an unauthorized user is able to obtain the shared secret, which is only intended for certain privileged users.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

Our second linear approximation is only intended for exploratory purposes, since it implicitly assumes a constant basic reproduction number (R0) for seasonal influenza.

BMC Infectious Diseases

As can be seen in Table 3, the BMJ list and the QHES instrument are broader and more comprehensive than the other two quality appraisal instruments: this is because the Philips list is solely designed for model-based economic evaluations and the CHEC list is only intended for undertaking systematic reviews of trial-based economic evaluations.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The St Louis county police chief testified that it was only intended for use when crowds grew "dangerously large and unruly".

The Guardian

Delany said that he never intended to have full discretion to take such action and that it was only intended for emergency situations when the administration of a university was too compromised to take action.

The New York Times

But the plan was in the interest of realizing a profit sooner, and was only intended for the short term; historians say the Pilgrims were more like shareholders in an early corporation than subjects of socialism.

The New York Times

But alas, although the shelves were soon stripped bare (and I felt a pang when I got to the housewares aisle too late to nab a Chanel bath mat), the pretend shopping center was only intended for pretend purchasing.

The New Yorker

Even if you dislike its humour, please take my word for it: it fell well within the French tradition of satire – and after all was only intended for a French audience.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is only intended for", be precise about the target group or purpose to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "This software is only intended for professional use".

Common error

Avoid using "is only intended for" when a broader application is possible or desirable. Instead of saying "This feature is only intended for advanced users", consider if simpler users could benefit too, and adjust accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is only intended for" serves as a restrictive modifier, limiting the application or suitability of something to a specific group, purpose, or context. As Ludwig AI points out, it clarifies that something is designed or meant for a particular and often limited use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is only intended for" is used to restrict the applicability of something to a specific purpose, audience, or situation. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and serves as a restrictive modifier. It is commonly used in news and media and scientific contexts and has a neutral register. While grammatically sound and understandable, it's essential to consider related phrases to precisely convey your intended meaning. While it is not considered a particularly frequent phrase, the examples provided by Ludwig show that it still finds usage in several contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exclusively for

Emphasizes that it is only for a single purpose, nothing else.

is specifically designed for

Highlights a deliberate design tailored to a certain use.

is solely for

Similar to "exclusively", but can imply singularity of purpose.

is strictly for

Conveys that the intention is limited to a precise purpose.

is uniquely for

Highlights the singular fit for a specific purpose.

is purpose-built for

Emphasizes that the thing was made for a definite intention.

is geared towards

Indicates a direction or orientation towards a specific goal.

is tailored to

Highlights a customized fit for a definite group.

is restricted to

Suggests that access or use is limited to a particular set of users or cases.

is designated for

Indicates a formal assignment to a specific purpose or group.

FAQs

How can I use "is only intended for" in a sentence?

You can use "is only intended for" to specify the limited scope or purpose of something. For example, "This tool is only intended for advanced users".

What's a phrase similar to "is only intended for"?

A similar phrase is "is specifically designed for", which also emphasizes the limited scope of something.

When is it better to use "is designed for" over "is only intended for"?

Use "is designed for" when you want to highlight the purpose without necessarily implying exclusivity. "Is only intended for" suggests a limitation, while "is designed for" is more neutral.

Is "is only intended for" too restrictive in certain contexts?

Yes, it can be. If you want to avoid limiting the potential use, consider using phrases like "is suitable for" or "is appropriate for" to be more inclusive.