purpose-built for

USAGE SUMMARY

"purpose-built for" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means that something was specifically designed or created for a particular function or purpose. Example: This car was purpose-built for off-roading, with its powerful engine and sturdy tires.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Solomone Kata is purpose-built for this action.

The Guardian - Sport

The office he inherits was purpose-built for and by Richard Holbrooke.

The New Yorker

This track is the first one purpose-built for Formula One [in the United States].

The New York Times - Sports

HARISH might have been Israel's first city purpose-built for both Arabs and Jews.

The Economist

Various V-8 and V-12 engines purpose-built for racing have been similarly structured.

The New York Times

Denver will use Infinity Park in Glendale, purpose-built for rugby but holding just 4,000.

The Guardian - Sport

The campus was purpose-built for the digital age to encourage innovation and promote creative collisions.

Cornell University

From SourceForge: "Mifos is an MIS purpose-built for the microfinance industry.

University of California, Berkeley

Even the security staff groove during Smooth Sailin', a two-chord wonder seemingly purpose-built for doing the watusi.

The Guardian - Music

They are purpose-built for excavating their setts, with short, powerful front legs and long, sharp claws.

Independent

The first speedway purpose-built for automobile racing was constructed in 1906 at Brooklands, near Weybridge, Surrey, England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purpose-built for" to clearly indicate that something was intentionally designed and constructed for a specific function, rather than being adapted or modified from an existing design.

Common error

Avoid using "purpose-built for" excessively in contexts where simpler language would suffice. In some cases, phrases like "designed for" or "made for" can be more accessible and equally effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purpose-built for" functions as a compound adjective followed by a preposition. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun was specifically created or designed for the purpose described by the prepositional phrase. This is validated by Ludwig, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purpose-built for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the intentional design of something for a specific function. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and applied across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "specifically designed for" exist, "purpose-built for" carries a distinct connotation of original creation for a defined use. When writing, it's best to use the phrase when you want to highlight that something was intentionally designed and constructed for a specific function. It’s also crucial to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specifically designed for

Replaces "purpose-built" with a more common synonym, slightly altering the tone to be less technical.

custom-made for

Implies a higher degree of tailoring and individualization than "purpose-built".

engineered for

Emphasizes the technical and precise nature of the design.

tailored for

Suggests a close fit or adaptation to a specific need or situation.

created specifically for

More verbose and emphasizes the act of creation for a defined reason.

designed with X in mind

Shifts the focus to the intention behind the design, rather than the final product.

optimized for

Highlights efficiency and performance as the primary design goal.

made to measure for

Suggests a precise and exacting fit, often used in contexts like clothing or equipment.

uniquely suited for

Emphasizes the special and advantageous nature of the design for a particular use.

developed for

Highlights the process of development and innovation leading to the final product.

FAQs

How do I use "purpose-built for" in a sentence?

Use "purpose-built for" to describe something that was specifically designed for a particular use or function. For example, "This software is "purpose-built for" data analysis".

What can I say instead of "purpose-built for"?

You can use alternatives like "specifically designed for", "custom-made for", or "engineered for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "purpose-built for" or "purpose built for"?

"Purpose-built for" with a hyphen is the correct and more common form when used as a compound adjective.

What's the difference between "purpose-built for" and "designed for"?

"Purpose-built for" emphasizes that something was constructed or created from the ground up with a particular purpose in mind, whereas "designed for" is a more general term that can also encompass adaptations or modifications of existing designs.