professed purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "professed purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a stated or declared intention or goal, often in a context where the sincerity of that purpose may be questioned. Example: "The organization's professed purpose is to promote environmental sustainability, but their actions suggest otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We should be grateful to Martin for doing so, even if most of his discoveries do little to further the professed purpose of his book.

The New York Times - Books

Formed with the professed purpose of fighting rural crime, state police in Pennsylvania (and later in other states) were used primarily to circumvent corrupt or inefficient local police forces and to control strikes in areas where local police were sympathetic to unions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Noyes then included a long excerpt from Pierce's article with the professed purpose of showing "how a writer could build up to such a quote" and showing how Pierce "paints the Senator as as much a victim of his name as someone who has personally benefited from it".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ministers had gathered with the self-professed aim of bringing stability and lower prices.

The Economist

Despite its self-professed interest in the ordinary, the museum's purpose is not inconsequential.

The New York Times

Their professed position is that they're enriching uranium for peaceful purposes.

The Guardian

Ronald Shmyr, a U.S.-based banker and a self-professed audiophile, owns several different pairs, each for a different purpose: Sony in-ear buds for music, Shure in-ear buds for athletics, over-ear padded Sennheiser headphones for comfort, and the full-size Bose for noise canceling.

The New York Times - Arts

The site warns against professed migrant advisers who are "seeking exorbitant amounts of money for the purpose of issuing visas and finding employment".

The New York Times

But in the ugliest conflicts the fighters can become so degraded by violence that killing for professed ideals usually God, fatherland, or some mixture of the two comes to be an end in itself, a perverse validation of purpose.

The New Yorker

He was a professed socialist.

The New Yorker

Still, many professed optimism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "professed purpose" when you want to highlight a stated intention, especially when there might be a question about its sincerity or actual implementation. It adds a layer of critical analysis to the stated goal.

Common error

Avoid using "professed purpose" in contexts where the sincerity of the intention is not in question. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "stated intention" or "declared aim" to maintain a balanced and objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "professed purpose" typically functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "professed" acts as an adjective describing the nature of the "purpose". It indicates a purpose that has been declared or stated, often with an implication that it might not be the true or only purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "professed purpose" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to modify a noun, indicating a stated intention or goal. The phrase is often employed in contexts where the sincerity or completeness of the stated purpose is being questioned. While the usage examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When writing, consider using "professed purpose" when you want to introduce an element of critical analysis or potential doubt regarding a stated intention. However, it is important to avoid overuse and opt for more neutral alternatives like "stated intention" when sincerity is not in question. Alternatives to "professed purpose" include "stated intention", "declared aim", or "purported goal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Claimed objective

Suggests the objective is asserted but possibly disputable, similar to "professed purpose" in its implication of potential doubt.

Purported goal

Suggests the goal is presented or appears a certain way, possibly casting doubt on its genuineness, much like "professed purpose".

Alleged intent

Suggests the intent is stated but not necessarily proven or accepted, implying a degree of skepticism.

Stated intention

Focuses on the declaration of intent, removing any implication of doubt or scrutiny present in "professed purpose".

Outward purpose

Emphasizes the external or visible purpose, potentially contrasting with a hidden or ulterior motive.

Declared aim

Highlights the formal announcement of a goal, similar to "professed purpose" but with a slightly more formal tone.

Presented motive

Focuses on the reason given for doing something, highlighting the way the motive is presented rather than its intrinsic truth.

Publicly stated goal

Highlights the fact that the goal has been announced to the public, focusing on the act of communication.

Averred objective

Emphasizes a firm and confident declaration of a goal, potentially implying a stronger commitment than "professed purpose".

Expressed reason

Highlights the explanation or justification given for an action, focusing on the communicated rationale rather than the underlying motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "professed purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "professed purpose" to describe a stated aim or intention, often implying a degree of skepticism about its genuineness. For example, "The organization's "professed purpose" was to alleviate poverty, but their actions suggested otherwise".

What are some alternatives to "professed purpose"?

Alternatives include "stated intention", "declared aim", or "purported goal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "professed purpose" instead of "stated intention"?

"Professed purpose" is suitable when you want to subtly question the sincerity or completeness of the stated intention. "Stated intention", on the other hand, is more neutral and doesn't imply any doubt.

Is "professed purpose" formal or informal?

"Professed purpose" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing where critical analysis and evaluation are expected.