purpose to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purpose to be" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where one is discussing intentions or goals, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "His purpose to be a leader in the community was evident in his actions."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It has a purpose: to be built, to be open to the public and to endure.

The New York Times

"But I just can't go there if there isn't a purpose to be served".

The New York Times

In the film, Nancy had one purpose: to be tricked into bed by Phil.

The Guardian

We must not permit any purpose to be superior for the Labour movement to that purpose".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Or is its purpose to be more traditional, to always present a traditional 'Nutcracker' or 'Aida'?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Anything moving on the water right now doesn't have a purpose to be here".

The New York Times

And we signed Jon Lieber last year to rehab for this exact purpose, to be our fifth guy".

The New York Times - Sports

Fleury said: "His No. 1 sole purpose to be out on the ice is to hurt somebody.

The New York Times - Sports

For an era that appeared to claim nine-tenths of art's purpose to be provocation, Emin was a genius.

The Guardian - Arts

"Therefore, the only purpose to be served by filing another appeal would be to waste the taxpayer's money," Horne said.

The Guardian

In silos, in submarines, in nocturnal repose, the beast, the nuclear beasts, the golems, waiting to be triggered into life, to be given purpose, to be given soul.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider more direct alternatives like "intention", "goal", or "aim" to enhance clarity and conciseness. For example, instead of "the purpose to be effective", use "the intention to be effective".

Common error

Avoid using "purpose to be" excessively in formal contexts, as it can create an impression of awkwardness. Opt for alternatives like "with the aim of", or "intending to", which are more stylistically refined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purpose to be" functions as a connector indicating the intended function, aim, or goal of something. Ludwig identifies this phrase as potentially awkward, suggesting that more direct alternatives often provide enhanced clarity. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from formal documents to news articles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "purpose to be" is used to express intention, aim, or goal. While the phrase is commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, it's often flagged as awkward. According to Ludwig, direct alternatives like "intention", "aim", or "goal" often offer greater clarity. It's essential to consider context and audience when using "purpose to be", and be ready to use alternatives to ensure clear and effective communication. As Ludwig AI highlights, the grammatical correctness and source authority are high, but usage consistency should be improved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intention to be

Replaces "purpose" with "intention", focusing on the aim or design behind an action.

aim to be

Substitutes "purpose" with "aim", highlighting the intended outcome or goal.

goal to be

Emphasizes the desired result or achievement, using "goal" instead of "purpose".

objective to be

Replaces "purpose" with "objective", which stresses a specific target or milestone.

reason to be

Focuses on the rationale or justification for an action or existence.

function to be

Highlights the role or task something is designed to perform.

design to be

Emphasizes the intended arrangement or construction of something.

role to be

Focuses on the part or capacity something is meant to fulfill.

point to be

Indicates the main idea or significance of something.

use to be

Highlights the intended application or utilization of something.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "purpose to be"?

You can use alternatives like "intention to be", "aim to be", or "goal to be" depending on the specific context.

Is "purpose to be" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "purpose to be" can often sound awkward or unclear. It is better to use alternatives for better clarity, as noted by Ludwig.

How can I use "purpose to be" in a sentence?

You can use "purpose to be" in sentences where you want to express the intended function or goal of something. For example: "The survey was designed on purpose to be short and clear to encourage students to fill it out."

What's the difference between "purpose to be" and "meant to be"?

"Purpose to be" implies a deliberate intention or design, while "meant to be" suggests a preordained or destined outcome. They are not interchangeable.