not designed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not designed for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was not created or intended for a specific purpose or audience. Example: "This software is not designed for casual users, but rather for professionals in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're not designed for that.

The New Yorker

"They were not designed for that.

The Guardian

Consumer phones are not designed for combat.

The Economist

"The curriculum was not designed for that".

The New York Times - Arts

Privacy laws were not designed for networks.

The Economist

It's not designed for that.

The New York Times - Travel

"Life's not designed for cowards.

The New York Times - Books

Restrooms are not designed for the handicapped.

The New York Times

"They're not designed for year-round use".

The New York Times

They were not designed for human habitation.

The Guardian

Restrooms not designed for the disabled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "not designed for", ensure that you clearly state what the subject is designed for, to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'This phone is not designed for gaming', specify, 'This phone is not designed for gaming; it's designed for basic communication and productivity'.

Common error

Avoid using "not designed for" without specifying the intended purpose or alternative use. This can leave the reader wondering what the subject is actually meant for, reducing the clarity and effectiveness of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not designed for" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it lacks suitability for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not designed for" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey that something is unsuitable or not intended for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "not intended for" or "not suitable for" exist, it's important to specify the intended purpose or alternative use when using this phrase to maintain clarity. Remember to avoid using the incorrect form "not design for". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase in your writing to avoid ambiguity and enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not intended for

Focuses on the original intention or purpose, rather than the design.

not meant for

Emphasizes the intended user or application.

not suitable for

Highlights the lack of appropriateness for a particular use.

not appropriate for

Similar to 'not suitable', but may imply a violation of standards.

not equipped for

Suggests a lack of necessary features or capabilities.

not built for

Focuses on the construction or manufacturing aspect.

not created for

Highlights the purpose behind the creation of something.

not optimized for

Indicates a lack of specific adaptations for efficient performance.

ill-suited for

Implies a poor match between the subject and the intended purpose.

unfit for

Suggests a fundamental inadequacy for a given task or role.

FAQs

What does "not designed for" mean?

The phrase "not designed for" means that something was not created or intended for a specific purpose or audience. It implies a mismatch between the subject's capabilities and the requirements of a particular use case.

What are some alternatives to "not designed for"?

You can use alternatives like "not intended for", "not meant for", or "not suitable for" depending on the context.

How to use "not designed for" in a sentence?

You can use "not designed for" to specify that an object, system, or process is unsuited for a specific task or environment. For example: "This software is not designed for large-scale data analysis".

Is it correct to say "not design for" instead of "not designed for"?

No, "not design for" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "not designed for", using the past participle of the verb 'design'.