it was not designed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not designed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the purpose or intention behind an object, system, or concept, indicating that it was not created with a specific function in mind. Example: "The software has many features, but it was not designed for large-scale data processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was not designed to produce panic.

The New York Times

It was not designed to determine whether Erbitux prolongs lives.

The New York Times

It was not designed arbitrarily or capriciously to destroy rights belonging to any riparian owner.

Cornell University

This is true, but the answer is that it was not designed to do so.

Cornell University

However it was not designed to clear smoke from multiple floors at once.

The Guardian

It was not designed to be opened up and worked on in space.

The New York Times - Science

It was not designed for that purpose and the 1944 plan was a better model.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was not designed to ever take any hits whatsoever," he said.

The New York Times

It was not designed for what we have right now, hundreds of thousands of refugees".

The Guardian

But it was not designed for speeds that will get you a ticket on the M25.

Independent

Though the Nai'a, our tracking boat, is sturdy, it was not designed for rough waters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the intended function, follow "it was not designed" with 'to + verb'. For example, "It was not designed to handle such high volumes of traffic".

Common error

Avoid using "it was not designed" when a better phrase would describe the object’s complete inability to perform a task. Use instead "it cannot" or "it is unable to" if the object is fundamentally incapable. "It was not designed" implies that it could perform the task if it were designed differently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not designed" functions as a statement of purpose, specifically indicating the absence of a particular intention or capability in the design of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express limitations or unintended uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was not designed" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that something lacks the intended features or capabilities for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequency and versatility make it suitable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic discussions. While often used to manage expectations or justify limitations, it's crucial to ensure it aligns with the intended scope, and consider alternatives like "it was not intended" or "it was not meant to" for nuanced conveyance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't intended

Uses a contraction and emphasizes intention rather than design.

it was not meant to

Focuses on the intended purpose, implying a lack of suitability.

it was not created for

Highlights the original purpose of creation.

it was not built for

Emphasizes the construction aspect and its intended use.

it was not planned for

Focuses on the planning stage and the absence of a specific purpose.

it was not conceived for

Highlights the initial idea or concept behind something.

it was not engineered for

Specifically refers to the engineering aspect and intended functionality.

it was not purposed for

Emphasizes the designated function or aim.

it does not serve to

Shifts focus to the current function rather than the original intent.

it is unsuited for

Implies a lack of fitness or appropriateness for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "it was not designed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was not designed" to explain that something lacks the features needed to do something, like, "The application has security flaws because "it was not designed" with security in mind."

What are some alternatives to "it was not designed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was not intended", "it was not meant to", or "it was not created for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it wasn't designed for" instead of "it was not designed for"?

Yes, "it wasn't designed for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used contraction of ""it was not designed" for". Both phrases carry the same meaning.

What is the difference between "it was not designed to" and "it is not suitable for"?

"It was not designed to" focuses on the original purpose or intention behind something, while "it is not suitable for" emphasizes its current capability or fitness for a particular purpose.