originally intended for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "originally intended for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the initial purpose or target audience of something, such as a product, message, or event. Example: "This software was originally intended for educational institutions, but it has gained popularity among individual users as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The OSGi specifications were originally intended for embedded devices, but have since outgrown their original purpose.

Journal of Cloud Computing

But they were originally intended for different purposes.

The New York Times - Tech

The Farmer's Daughter was originally intended for Ingrid Bergman.

The Guardian

But the diary does not always feel like a work that was originally intended for publication.

The New Yorker

In the meantime, she often uses containers that weren't originally intended for the task.

The New York Times

Originally intended for military use, dressage training was begun early in the 16th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hitchcock originally intended for the film to end with Lina's suicide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The camp was originally intended for surfers, who might well need such skills in an emergency.

The New Yorker

Instead, the oval was originally intended for wheelchair races for the disabled.

The New York Times - Sports

The part was originally intended for Dominique Sanda, who dropped out after becoming pregnant.

The New York Times

This audience was probably not the one the music was originally intended for.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "originally intended for" to add historical context and depth to your writing, explaining the initial objectives before any modifications or changes.

Common error

Avoid using "originally intended for" if the current purpose aligns with the original one. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a change or divergence from the initial plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "originally intended for" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify the initial purpose or destination of something. It indicates that the current use or state differs from the initial plan. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "originally intended for" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the initial purpose or design of something, often highlighting a shift or evolution in its usage. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common use across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates a divergence from the original intent. Alternative phrases such as ""initially designed for"" or ""primarily created for"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of using the correct past participle form "intended".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially designed for

Focuses on the initial design purpose, emphasizing the planning stage.

primarily created for

Highlights the main reason something was created, shifting the focus to creation.

meant for at first

Emphasizes the initial expectation or plan, adding a temporal dimension.

first conceived as

Refers to the original concept or idea, stressing the conceptual origin.

originally purposed for

Highlights the intended use or function, with a slightly more formal tone.

formerly planned for

Focuses on a previous plan or intention, emphasizing the change over time.

initially targeted at

Specifies the original target audience or demographic, emphasizing the intended recipients.

designed in the beginning for

Highlights the early stages of design, adding emphasis to the beginning.

at first planned to be

Emphasizes the initial plan or arrangement, stressing the intended state.

originally envisioned as

Focuses on the initial vision or mental image, emphasizing the conceptual aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "originally intended for" in a sentence?

Use "originally intended for" to describe the initial purpose or design of something that has since been adapted or used differently. For example, "This software was "originally intended for" educational institutions, but is now popular among individual users."

What are some alternatives to "originally intended for"?

You can use alternatives like "initially designed for", "primarily created for", or "meant for at first" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "originally intend for" instead of "originally intended for"?

No, the correct phrase is ""originally intended for"". The past participle "intended" should be used to indicate the original purpose or plan.

What's the difference between "originally designed for" and "originally intended for"?

While similar, "originally designed for" often refers to the physical or structural planning of something, whereas ""originally intended for"" can refer to a broader purpose or goal. The nuance depends on context.