on what purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on what purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone the reason why they are doing something. For example, "On what purpose did you come here today?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Microsoft did not elaborate on what purpose the communications have, or whether it stores or tracks the data, which includes machine identification numbers.

The Guardian - Tech

Depending on what purpose is being served strategic, economic or domestic it can leave intact or even protect the economies, social structures and religions of its subject nations; or it can wipe them out.Even more than the Soviet monolith, the tsarist realm varied greatly in form.

The Economist

In the business context there is no real agreement on what purpose means.

Huffington Post

Conflicts fade away as people's energy and ideas are brought together to deliver on what purpose makes possible.

Huffington Post

Through my research on what purpose actually is, I've found that the popular idea of purpose has become reserved for a select few.

Huffington Post

Horn: The advice I'd have is to be very clear on what purpose and mission they're going into it with, and what they're trying to get out of it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

3. Interview a scientist on their view of what purpose science should serve in the world in the next 25 years.

The New York Times

Pledging to shine a light on the issue, he added: "So we're going to push for more transparency on who owns companies, on who's buying land and for what purpose, on how governments spend their money, on how gas, oil and mining companies operate, on who is hiding stolen assets and how we recover and return them".

The Guardian

Pledging to shine a light on the issue, the prime minister added: "So we're going to push for more transparency on who owns companies, on who's buying up land and for what purpose, on how governments spend their money, on how gas, oil and mining companies operate, on who is hiding stolen assets and how we recover and return them".

The Guardian - Business

Exactly how the statistics are compiled and delivered during a game depends on how quickly, and for what purpose, a customer needs the data, analysts say.

The New York Times - Sports

The EFF criticises e-reader manufacturers for not giving customers clear information on the data that is being held on them – and for what purpose.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what purpose", ensure the context is formal or requires a deliberate, thoughtful inquiry into the underlying reason. It's often used when questioning the justification for an action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "on what purpose" in informal settings, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "why" or "what's the reason for" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on what purpose" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce a question about the reason or intention behind a particular action or decision. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI indicates it's less common in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on what purpose" is a grammatically sound but somewhat uncommon phrase used to inquire about the reasons or intentions behind an action or decision. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is more formal and can sound stilted in modern English, making simpler alternatives like "why?" or "what's the reason?" often preferable. Usage is primarily found in news, academic, and wiki contexts. When deciding to use "on what purpose", consider the formality of the situation and whether a more direct question would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for what reason

Replaces 'purpose' with 'reason', focusing on the cause or justification.

with what aim

Substitutes 'purpose' with 'aim', emphasizing the goal or objective.

to what end

A more formal way of asking about the intended outcome or result.

what is the reason for

Expands the phrase into a full question, providing more context.

what is the objective of

Uses 'objective' instead of 'purpose', highlighting a specific target.

why is it for

Simplifies the question to a basic inquiry about the intended use.

what's the point of

An informal way of questioning the value or relevance of something.

what's the use of

Similar to 'what's the point', but more focused on practical application.

what's the intention behind

Focuses on the underlying plan or motive.

what motivates

Shifts the focus to the driving force or incentive.

FAQs

How can I use "on what purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "on what purpose" to inquire about the reason or intention behind something, particularly in formal contexts. For instance, "On what purpose was this meeting called?" or "On what purpose are these funds being allocated?"

What is a more common alternative to "on what purpose"?

A more common and less formal way to ask about the purpose is to simply ask "Why?" or "What is the reason?" depending on the context.

Is "on what purpose" considered formal language?

Yes, "on what purpose" is generally considered formal and may sound somewhat archaic in modern English. Simpler alternatives are often preferred in everyday speech and writing.

What is the difference between "on what purpose" and "for what purpose"?

While both phrases inquire about the reason behind something, "for what purpose" is more common and generally preferred in contemporary English. "On what purpose" is less frequently used and may sound more formal or stilted.