not for its designed function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not for its designed function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is being used in a way that is different from its intended purpose. Example: "The tool was repurposed for a different task, not for its designed function."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that was its designed function.

Vice

It's time for a program that doesn't take its eye off the goal just because its designed to function on one election cycle.

Huffington Post

Interestingly, SUMOylation of G9a is required for its ability to transcriptionally activate genes, but not for its repressive function.

Nature

Although because the content is very mild, films rated G are not designed for children, its designed for everyone.

WikiHow

It should be emphasized that these macromolecules were isolated with relatively high frequency from a collection of sequences that were designed to adopt a stable globular fold [7], [8], [19], [20], [25], but were not explicitly designed for function.

Plosone

Jasper Morrison, Naoto Fukasawa and other prominent designers created many of its roughly 7,000 products, but their names are obscured in keeping with an anti-brand credo: The company wants customers to buy a stapler, umbrella or measuring tape not for its name, but for its function and design.

The New York Times

The interest lies not in its design, however, but the reason for its bestowal.

Independent

"The significance of the court's front entrance extends beyond its design and function," he wrote.

The New Yorker

The design of Obamacare is not inherently flawed ― at least, that is not the reason for its inability to function properly.

Huffington Post

In this case, it was used for its mutation function, which is designed for the replacement of individual residues.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

It's not designed to function in the one-off, opening-weekend culture of Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "not for its designed function", ensure the context clearly indicates the original, intended purpose of the subject being discussed. This clarifies why it's being used differently.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "designed" and "intended" are always interchangeable. 'Designed' refers to a specific plan or blueprint, while 'intended' can be more broadly applicable to aims or expectations. Be precise in your word choice to reflect the actual origin of the function.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not for its designed function" acts as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action or object is not being used according to its original specifications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not for its designed function" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, though it appears relatively infrequently. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is correct. It's used to indicate that something is being employed in a manner that diverges from its original, intended design or purpose. While applicable in various contexts, including news, science, and technical domains, it’s particularly suited for scenarios where precision and clarity are essential. Alternative phrasings like "not for its intended purpose" or "not for its original function" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to ensure that the context clearly specifies the original design to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not for its intended purpose

Replaces "designed function" with the more common "intended purpose".

not for its original function

Substitutes "designed" with "original", focusing on the initial function.

not for what it was designed to do

Rephrases the function as an action the subject was made to perform.

not for the purpose it was built for

Emphasizes the initial construction and purpose.

not fulfilling its intended use

Changes the structure to focus on the lack of fulfillment of the use.

contrary to its designed purpose

Uses "contrary to" to show opposition to the original design.

deviating from its intended function

Focuses on the act of deviating from the original function.

not in accordance with its design

Uses the phrase "not in accordance with" to show that something does not respect the design.

being used in an unintended way

Replaces the design function with an unintended use of something.

applied outside its design parameters

Changes the structure to focus on the limits or parameters of the initial design.

FAQs

What does "not for its designed function" mean?

It means that something is being used in a way that differs from the original purpose it was created or intended for. The designed function refers to the initial plan or purpose behind its creation.

How can I rephrase "not for its designed function"?

You can use alternatives like "not for its intended purpose", "not for its original function", or "not for what it was designed to do".

Is it grammatically correct to say "not for its designed function"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses correct prepositional phrasing and accurately describes a deviation from a planned or engineered purpose.

In what contexts is "not for its designed function" typically used?

It's commonly used in technical, engineering, or design contexts to describe a product or system that is being used in an unconventional or unintended way, sometimes implying improvisation or misuse.