it serves that purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it serves that purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something fulfills a specific function or role. Example: "This tool is quite versatile; it serves that purpose well in various applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It serves that purpose, of course, coupled with a trio of swappable international wall adapters (bonus points for travelers).

TechCrunch

The contract helps us determine what principles we should choose from among competing views, but the justification for using it and designing it so that it serves that purpose must itself derive from the reflective equilibrium that it helps us achieve.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's not what classification is for, but it often serves that purpose".

The New York Times

You might say that one of the purposes of secularism is to provide a language in which people of very different metaphysical views can communicate, and it served that purpose in the early years of the UN, even though some of its pioneering heroes, like the Swedish Lutheran Dag Hammarskjold (pictured), were deeply religious people.

The Economist

I'm not entirely convinced that it served that purpose, but there is a steady groundswell to suggest that it is a technology whose time has arrived, particularly in providing trust in the way information and transactions are managed.

Huffington Post

By offering a quite different and provocative picture of changes within one of the nation's most significant religious bodies, it certainly serves that purpose.

The New York Times

It still serves that purpose.

Forbes

PARIS — The French Open was once an annual rite of spring to determine who was the world's best clay-court tennis player, but it no longer serves that purpose in the era of Rafael Nadal.

The New York Times - Sports

In the case of our debut issue, it's Friedrich Nietzsche's moustache that serves that purpose.

HuffPost

And the U-house, you might say, was pre-conceived as a mourners' house so it was only logical to run it down after it finished serving that purpose.

Huffington Post

I hope that NME going free extends its reach, and that it can serve that purpose for someone new.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it serves that purpose" to clearly and concisely state that something fulfills its intended function or role. Ensure the context makes the 'that purpose' clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it serves that purpose" without clearly defining what 'that purpose' refers to. Ensure the reader understands the intended function to avoid ambiguity. If the purpose isn't obvious, rephrase to be more explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it serves that purpose" functions as a purpose connector, indicating that something fulfills a specific, previously mentioned function or role. It is used to express the reason or justification for something's existence or action, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it serves that purpose" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something fulfills its intended function or role. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears in both news and scientific sources. For clearer and more impactful writing, ensure that the 'that purpose' is explicitly defined within the surrounding text. Alternatives such as "it fulfills that function" or "it meets that need" may offer increased specificity depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it fulfills that function

Focuses on the act of fulfilling a function, rather than serving a broader purpose.

it meets that need

Emphasizes the satisfaction of a requirement or necessity.

it achieves that goal

Highlights the attainment of a specific objective or aim.

it accomplishes that objective

Similar to achieving a goal, but with a more formal tone.

it satisfies that requirement

Stresses adherence to a specific condition or specification.

it is designed for that reason

Indicates intentionality in the design or creation of something.

it is intended to do that

Focuses on the intended action or outcome.

it is meant for that purpose

Similar to 'intended to do that', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on purpose.

it helps to achieve that

Highlights the contributing role in reaching a certain outcome.

it is conducive to that end

Suggests a contributing factor to a specific result or outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it serves that purpose"?

You can use alternatives such as "it fulfills that function", "it meets that need", or "it achieves that goal" depending on the specific context.

What does "it serves that purpose" mean?

The phrase "it serves that purpose" means that something is fulfilling its intended function or role effectively. It indicates that the item or action is successful in achieving what it was designed or meant to do.

Is "it serves that purpose" formal or informal?

The phrase "it serves that purpose" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and situation than on the phrase itself.

When should I use "it serves that purpose" over a more specific phrase?

Use "it serves that purpose" when you want to make a general statement about functionality or intention without needing to specify details. If you need to emphasize a particular aspect, such as meeting a need or achieving a goal, use a more specific alternative like "it meets that need" or "it achieves that goal".