it was designed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was designed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the purpose or intention behind the creation of an object, system, or process. Example: "The new software was designed to improve user experience and streamline workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was designed to a dollar figure".

The New Yorker

And it was designed to remain so.

The New York Times - Arts

It was designed to be emotional".

The New Yorker

It was designed to encourage serendipitous encounters.

The New York Times

It was designed to facilitate "permissionless innovation".

The Guardian - Opinion

It was designed to be conspicuous.

The New York Times - Arts

It was designed to be influential.

The Guardian

It was designed to be moderate.

The Guardian

It was designed to unnerve Brough.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was designed to benefit minorities".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the function of a product or system, use "it was designed to" to clearly state its intended purpose. For instance: "The application "it was designed to" streamline communication between departments."

Common error

Avoid assuming that the design's intention perfectly matches its actual outcome. Clearly distinguish between what "it was designed to" achieve and its real-world performance or limitations. The project "it was designed to" reduce costs but actually increased them due to unforeseen maintenance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was designed to" functions as an introductory clause that specifies the intended purpose or function of something. Ludwig AI provides many examples to demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as describing the purpose of a physical object, a system, or an abstract concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was designed to" is a versatile and frequently used construction that communicates the intended purpose or function of something. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears commonly across diverse sources such as news, science, and encyclopedias, making it useful in a variety of contexts. It is grammatically correct and functions effectively to clarify the aims behind a design, whether it is a tangible product, a complex system, or an abstract concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intended to

Replaces "designed" with "intended", focusing on the purpose or aim.

it was created to

Emphasizes the act of creation with a specific objective.

it was built to

Highlights the construction aspect with a defined goal in mind.

it was made to

A more general alternative, indicating the reason for its existence.

its purpose was to

Shifts the focus to the purpose as the main subject.

the design was for

Restructures the sentence to highlight the design's objective.

it aimed to

Condenses the phrase, focusing on the aim or goal.

it was planned to

Highlights the planning stage and its intended outcome.

the intention was to

Clearly states the intention behind the creation or action.

it sought to

Emphasizes the effort or attempt to achieve a particular goal.

FAQs

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

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

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

You can use alternatives such as "it was intended to", "it was created to", or "it was built to" depending on the specific context.

Is "it is designed to" different from "it was designed to"?

"It is designed to" describes a current intended purpose, while "it was designed to" refers to the original intention at the time of design. The present tense suggests the design is still relevant and effective.

Can "it was designed to" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "it was designed to" can describe the intended function of abstract concepts, such as policies or strategies. For example, "The policy "it was designed to" promote economic growth".