ostensibly to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something appears to be true or is stated to be true, but may not actually be the case. Example: "He arrived early, ostensibly to prepare for the meeting, but it seemed he had other motives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vladimir Putin, ostensibly to discuss trade and economic relations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When they arrived they came ostensibly to farm".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The nurse moved away, ostensibly to retrieve a form.

The New York Times - Magazine

He walked ahead, ostensibly to check out something suspicious.

The New York Times

Mubarak sent guards to her house, ostensibly to protect her.

The Guardian - Books

The government clampdown followed, ostensibly to restore "social order".

The Guardian

Then, the son moved in, ostensibly to sort through paperwork.

The New York Times

Bluetooth constantly hops among 79 channels, ostensibly to avoid interference.

The New York Times - Tech

The army seized power last September ostensibly to save democracy from Thaksin Shinawatra, an elected strongman.

The Economist

It quickly occupied West Beirut — ostensibly to prevent militia attacks against the Palestinian civilians.

The New York Times

First, lunch the journalists concerned, ostensibly to discuss some other story.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ostensibly to", ensure the context implies a contrast between the stated purpose and a possible underlying, less obvious motive. It adds depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly to" when the stated purpose is genuinely the only purpose. The phrase works best when there's a suggestion that something else might be at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly to" functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces a purpose or reason for an action. It modifies the verb by indicating the stated, but potentially not actual, intention behind it. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ostensibly to" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce a stated purpose or reason that may not be the true one. According to Ludwig, the expression is commonly used in neutral to formal contexts, with a strong presence in news and media, encyclopedias and science. It serves to express a degree of skepticism or doubt about the genuineness of an action's motivation. When using this phrase, it is best practice to make sure that there is a contrast implied between the stated purpose and a possible underlying motive. Some of the alternatives include: "apparently to", "supposedly to", and "purportedly to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly with the intention of

This alternative elaborates on the original by explicitly stating the intention, though it might still be questionable.

ostensibly for the reason of

This phrasing clarifies that the stated reason is the apparent one, closely mirroring the meaning of "ostensibly to".

apparently in order to

This alternative suggests that the purpose is based on appearance or hearsay, similar to "ostensibly", but includes the explicit "in order to" for clarification of purpose.

putatively to

This phrase indicates something is commonly accepted or supposed, but perhaps not actually so.

purportedly for the purpose of

This option highlights the claim of a specific aim, suggesting the goal might be questionable or unverified.

professedly to

This is a more formal way to indicate a declared reason, often hinting at possible insincerity.

supposedly for

The term conveys the purpose is what people generally believe, which may or may not be true.

allegedly with the goal of

Using "allegedly" introduces the purpose as something that is claimed but not yet proven, adding a level of skepticism.

on the pretext of

Using "on the pretext of" introduces an element of deception, where the stated reason is likely a cover for the real one.

under the guise of

This phrase implies that the action is concealed or disguised, adding a layer of suspicion to the stated purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "ostensibly to" in a sentence?

"Ostensibly to" is used to introduce a stated reason or purpose that may not be the real or only reason. For instance, "He visited, "ostensibly to" check on the house, but really, he wanted to see the neighbors."

What can I say instead of "ostensibly to"?

Alternatives to "ostensibly to" include phrases like "apparently to", "supposedly to", or "purportedly to", each suggesting a degree of doubt or questioning of the stated purpose.

Which is correct, "ostensibly to" or "ostensive to"?

The correct phrase is "ostensibly to". "Ostensive to" is not a standard English phrase. "Ostensibly to" means apparently or purportedly for the purpose of.

What's the difference between "ostensibly to" and "seemingly to"?

Both "ostensibly to" and "seemingly to" indicate that something appears to be a certain way. However, ""ostensibly to"" often implies a hidden motive or doubt about the stated purpose, whereas "seemingly to" simply suggests an outward appearance.