key purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

"key purpose" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, used to describe the main aim or goal of something.
For example, "The key purpose of this project is to develop a tool that can monitor environmental conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A key purpose of the insider-trading prosecutions is deterrence.

The New Yorker

2.24pm: Cameron says the administration will have one key purpose: giving the UK proper leadership.

The Guardian

Stockport's director of public health, Dr Stephen Watkins, says HinM's key purpose is unclear.

The Guardian

For both Smith and Robinson, the key constituent was the audience, the key purpose social and the key policy access.

The Guardian - Arts

Analysts believe a key purpose of the Iranian strategy is to exacerbate divisions between the six negotiating nations.

The Guardian

The former rule severed a building's relationship to the street -- a vital element considering its key purpose is to present America to a foreign culture.

The New York Times

To paraphrase the 17th-century poet John Milton in his treatise supporting divorce, a key purpose of marriage is joyful companionship; a fraught union violates the point.

The New York Times

The new provision "will resolve that uncertainty on a permanent basis, which one would hope would be a key purpose of patent reform".

The New York Times

State-monitoring costs alone are estimated to have been $150,000 annually, and burdened private laboratories as well, for data that Dr. Nelson said lost its key purpose when the vaccines were taken off the market.

The New York Times

In another development, secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton told Congress today that local job creation is a key purpose of the $980m£669m9m) in extra money the state department is requesting for its work in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Anna Vignoles, professor of education at the University of Cambridge, who is co-authoring the report with Neil Shephard, professor of economics at Oxford, says a key purpose of the project is to improve information for students.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key purpose", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant aim or function to avoid ambiguity. Be specific in detailing what this purpose entails.

Common error

Avoid using "key purpose" when a more specific or nuanced term would be more appropriate. If the purpose isn't truly central or fundamental, opt for terms like "main goal" or "primary objective" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key purpose" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies the most important aim or goal. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is used to introduce or clarify the main intention behind an action, project, or entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key purpose" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the primary aim or intention, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across diverse contexts, from scientific studies to news reports, and is generally considered neutral to formal in register. While highly versatile, ensure that the purpose is truly central to warrant its use, and consider alternatives like "main objective" or "primary goal" for slight variations in emphasis. By keeping these points in mind, you can effectively use "key purpose" to clearly convey the most important intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief intent

Similar to 'key purpose' but emphasizes the intention or design behind an action or plan.

main objective

Focuses on the specific goal to be achieved, shifting from general intention to a concrete target.

primary goal

Emphasizes the most important aim, adding a sense of prioritization that "key purpose" might not always convey.

principal aim

Highlights the chief intention, offering a more formal tone than "key purpose".

central focus

Shifts the emphasis to the main point of attention or activity, rather than the intended outcome.

fundamental reason

Highlights the underlying cause or justification, changing the focus from intention to rationale.

core function

Emphasizes the essential activity or role, differing from the intended outcome by focusing on process.

essential task

Focuses on the necessary action to be completed, rather than the broader intention behind it.

driving force

Highlights the impetus or motivation, diverging from a static purpose to an active influence.

overriding concern

Shifts focus to the most important issue requiring attention, rather than a planned objective.

FAQs

How can I use "key purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "key purpose" to highlight the main aim or goal of something, such as "The "key purpose" of this study is to investigate the effects of the new drug".

What are some alternatives to "key purpose"?

Alternatives to "key purpose" include "main objective", "primary goal", or "principal aim", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "key purpose" and "main goal"?

"Key purpose" emphasizes the fundamental reason or intention, while "main goal" highlights the specific target to be achieved. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the underlying reason or the concrete objective.

Is "key purpose" formal or informal?

"Key purpose" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as it is commonly used in academic, professional, and news settings.