purposes at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purposes at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the immediate or current objectives or goals that are being addressed or considered. Example: "In order to achieve our goals, we must focus on the purposes at hand and prioritize our tasks accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For the purposes at hand, an object is a unique, physical thing.

The New York Times - Arts

While by most accounts Davis and Ball weren't particularly simpatico — the former reliably light and amusing, tactful and considerate, the latter sometimes harsh and often humorless — they were for the purposes at hand the perfect complement to each other.

The New York Times - Arts

And that's all we know of Shawn Edwards, of Fox-TV, who thought it was "the comedy hit of the summer!" For the purposes at hand — the purposes of promotion — all movie reviewers are fictional, or manipulated to the point of fictionality.

The New Yorker

A playful riff on the ancient form of the triumphal arch, "Empire," by the Irish sculptor Eva Rothschild, may be viewed for the purposes at hand as a metaphorical gateway to the entertainingly illogical array of new and old artworks awaiting Midtown and Upper East Side gallery hoppers.

The New York Times - Arts

Aside from avoidance of clutter, the purpose of this, typically, will be to emphasize that our choice of this or that variable or constant typically does not matter for the purposes at hand.

SEP

Yet it seems one can deepen an explanation by opening black boxes and revealing how things work down to whatever level one takes as relatively fundamental for the purposes at hand.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This rendered the prepared material very promising for the purpose at hand.

Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers

The answer often depends on the context and the purpose at hand.

Treatise on Geomorphology

Therefore special care should be taken to suit the method to the purpose at hand.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

For the purpose at hand -- determining whether the authors' copyrights have been infringed -- an analogy to an imaginary library may be instructive.

The New York Times

This enlarges the list of methods that are eventually useful to the purpose at hand and justifies an overall examination of their distinguishing features.

Structural Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "purposes at hand", ensure the context clearly defines what these purposes are. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "purposes at hand" without clearly specifying the relevant objectives. Overgeneralization can lead to confusion and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purposes at hand" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause. It specifies the objectives or goals that are currently being considered or addressed, as exemplified in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "purposes at hand" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to immediate objectives or goals. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Though relatively rare, it appears most commonly in scientific and news media contexts. To use it effectively, ensure clarity by specifying the objectives to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "objectives at hand" or "goals at hand". When employing "purposes at hand", be specific to give the context necessary meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

objectives at hand

Replaces "purposes" with "objectives", focusing on specific goals.

aims at hand

Substitutes "purposes" with "aims", emphasizing intentions or desired outcomes.

goals at hand

Replaces "purposes" with "goals", highlighting desired achievements.

intentions at hand

Changes "purposes" to "intentions", stressing the underlying motivations.

tasks at hand

Shifts focus from overarching aims to the immediate "tasks" needing completion.

business at hand

Replaces "purposes" with "business", referring to an immediate concern or matter.

matters at hand

Substitutes "purposes" with "matters", broadening the scope to include relevant issues.

concerns at hand

Emphasizes the pressing "concerns" or issues needing attention.

agenda at hand

Replaces "purposes" with "agenda", referring to a plan of things to be done.

points at issue

Focuses on specific "points" of contention or discussion needing resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "purposes at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "purposes at hand" to refer to the immediate or current objectives being addressed, such as, "For the "purposes at hand", let's focus on the budget." In this example it's more eloquent than other options.

What are some alternatives to "purposes at hand"?

Alternatives include "objectives at hand", "goals at hand", or "intentions at hand", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "purposes at hand" formal or informal?

"Purposes at hand" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It conveys a sense of focus and relevance, making it appropriate for academic papers, business reports, and news articles.

How does "purposes at hand" differ from "the task at hand"?

"Purposes at hand" refers to the overarching aims or objectives, while "the task at hand" focuses on a specific action or activity that contributes to those aims. For example, the "purposes at hand" might be increasing sales, while the task at hand could be cold calling potential customers.