purpose of coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purpose of coming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the purpose of a person's visit. For example: "I asked him what was the purpose of coming here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Muslim, gay, transgender, it doesn't matter: the purpose of coming to university is to grow strong enough to fight your way through.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet there they were this week, signing fresh contracts with their former teams — Matsui with the Yankees, and McNabb with the Philadelphia Eagles — for the sole purpose of coming out of retirement so they could retire all over again.

The New York Times - Sports

"The whole purpose of coming here was to retain part of the history," Mr. Varvatos said in an interview, as bands sound-checked before the show, "so that anybody can walk in off the street and experience part of what was here".

The New York Times - Arts

Isn't it ironic that the purpose of coming out of the closet is to finally be who we are?

Huffington Post

"I want to enjoy my college life, but my main purpose of coming here, two hours away from home, is to get a degree so that I could make a better life for my brother".

Huffington Post

"Was it any different than what Christian missionaries had done for generations," Donnelly asks himself, " basically imposing their beliefs on a vulnerable population?" In a later chapter, Donnelly repeats similar questions posed by a long-time Catholic expat in Malawi: " What was the purpose of coming to Africa?

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That hasn't changed, but today the Court of Appeal quashed one of two convictions for contempt of court against Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the pseudonym "Tommy Robinson" for the purposes of coming across as authentic to his fanbase.

Vice

Preserving the culture was, after all, "the core purpose of our coming into exile".

The Economist

"This defeats every purpose of my coming here," he grumbled, then departed with what one senator branded an air of "sullen dignity".

The New York Times

He is also looking for relief from his nation's mammoth debts, which is a major purpose of his coming German trip.

The New York Times

One person remarked: "I say yes because the whole purpose of them coming there is because you've accepted the fact that you need to change your eating habits.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purpose of coming" when you want to understand the intention or reason behind someone's arrival. It's particularly useful in formal situations or when clarity is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "purpose of coming" when a more general term like "intention" or "reason" suffices. The phrase is specific to arrival or visitation; if you're discussing someone's overall goals, a different phrase is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purpose of coming" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the reason or aim behind an act of arrival or visitation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable. The examples provided demonstrate its role in specifying the intention behind someone's decision to be present at a particular location or event.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purpose of coming" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about or express the reason behind an arrival or visit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. While not extremely frequent, it appears across diverse sources, most commonly in news and media. Related phrases include "intent of coming" and "reason for coming". When employing this phrase, be certain the context clearly indicates the act of arriving; in more general contexts, a broader term like "intention" might be more suitable. The phrase serves to clarify intentions and provide context for the presence of an individual or group. Its tone is generally neutral to professional and formal, according to the source contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for coming

Replaces "purpose of" with "reason for", providing a more direct way to ask about the cause of arrival.

purpose of visit

A common alternative, particularly in formal contexts, that's slightly broader than just "coming".

intent of coming

Replaces "purpose" with "intent", emphasizing the intention behind the arrival.

intention of coming

Similar to "intent of coming", but with a slightly more formal tone.

aim of coming

Substitutes "purpose" with "aim", focusing on the objective or goal of the visit.

motivation for coming

Highlights the driving force or underlying cause behind the arrival.

objective of coming

Uses "objective" instead of "purpose", highlighting the specific target or outcome of the arrival.

goals of coming

Pluralizes "goals" to emphasize multiple objectives or desired outcomes of the visit.

explanation of coming

Focuses on providing a detailed account or clarification for the arrival.

agenda for coming

Emphasizes a pre-planned schedule or list of items to be addressed during the visit.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to ask about someone's reason for arriving?

You can use the phrase "intent of coming" or "purpose of visit" for a more formal tone.

How does "reason for coming" differ from "purpose of coming"?

"Reason for coming" and "purpose of coming" are very similar. "Reason for coming" may sound slightly more direct or casual in some contexts.

Is "purpose of coming" appropriate in academic writing?

Yes, "purpose of coming" is appropriate, especially when discussing the reasons for attending a conference, conducting research, or similar activities. Ensure clarity and context within your writing.

What are some alternative phrases to "purpose of coming" that emphasize goals or objectives?

Consider using phrases like "goals of coming" or "objective of coming" if you wish to highlight the specific outcomes or targets associated with the arrival.