it is designed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is designed to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain the purpose or intended function of something. For example: "This new software is designed to improve efficiency in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With its gory, mutilated corpses it is designed to shock.

The Guardian - Arts

It is designed to work with Facebook.

The New York Times

"It is designed to break your heart".

The New York Times - Books

"It is designed to be very educational.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is designed to defeat them.

The New York Times

It is designed to improve child protection.

Independent

It is designed to sell.

The New York Times - Sports

It is designed to intimidate.

The Guardian

"It is designed to sleep in".

The New Yorker

In politics, it is designed to kill.

The Guardian

"It is designed to drown out fear".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purpose of something, use "it is designed to" followed by a clear and concise verb phrase to specify its intended function.

Common error

Ensure that the purpose following "it is designed to" is specific and avoids vague language. Instead of "it is designed to help", specify who it helps and how.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is designed to" primarily functions as a purpose clause introducer. It sets the stage for explaining the intended function, goal, or objective of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard construction for specifying design intent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is designed to" is a versatile tool for specifying the intended function or purpose of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It’s most common in news, scientific, and business contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad range of communication. When using this phrase, ensure the purpose is clearly stated and avoids ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "it is intended to" or "its purpose is to" for nuanced variations. By focusing on clarity and specificity, you can effectively convey the design intent and its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is intended to

Emphasizes the intention or plan behind the design, highlighting the expected outcome.

it is meant to

Focuses on the intended purpose, suggesting a goal or objective that the design aims to achieve.

its purpose is to

Directly states the reason or objective behind the design, making the intention very clear.

it aims to

Highlights the specific objectives or goals that the design is trying to accomplish.

it serves to

Emphasizes the function or role of the design, indicating its usefulness in a particular context.

it functions as a

Describes the operational role of the design, focusing on how it performs its intended task.

it is built to

Highlights the construction and engineering aspects, suggesting that the design is specifically created for a certain purpose.

it is engineered to

Focuses on the technical design, emphasizing the precision and specific features incorporated for a particular function.

it is optimized for

Highlights the improvements and adjustments made to achieve the best possible performance for a specific task.

it facilitates

Emphasizes the design's role in making a process or task easier or more efficient.

FAQs

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

Use "it is designed to" to explain the intended function or purpose of something. For example, "This software "it is designed to improve efficiency"."

What are some alternatives to "it is designed to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is intended to", "it is meant to", or "its purpose is to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it is designed to" and "it was designed to"?

"It is designed to" implies the design is current and still relevant, while "it was designed to" suggests a past design, which may or may not be still in use. For example, "This application "it is designed to streamline workflows"" versus "This application "it was designed to streamline workflows", but has since been updated."

Can I use "it is designed for" instead of "it is designed to"?

While both are grammatically correct, "it is designed for" typically describes the target audience or purpose, whereas "it is designed to" describes the action or function. For example, "This tool "it is designed for beginners"" versus "This tool "it is designed to simplify complex tasks"".