Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
purposes to know
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "purposes to know" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express an intention or goal related to knowledge, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The organization has purposes to know the needs of its community."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
When dealing with concrete resistance to high temperatures it is important for design purposes to know the elastic parameters, such as the temperature strain curves and the modulus of elasticity.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
Simon Stevens was a protégé of the radical leader Thaddeus Stevens, who in turn raged that the committee had "no honest purpose to know the truth" except to go "scandal-hunting".
News & Media
I wrote to find beauty and purpose, to know that love is possible and lasting and real, to see day lilies and swimming pools, loyalty and devotion, even though my eyes were closed and all that surrounded me was a darkened room.
News & Media
Purpose: to know health education as part of the role of nursing in their professional work.
PURPOSE: To know sexual aspects (SA) of patients with SB (SBP) and the possible influence of Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC).
Science
The Hoppers were not just curious, they visibly HUNGERED and struggled with purpose to know, comprehend, and understand MRFF's and its 16 clients' perspectives and viewpoints on the public statements of faith that Christina had made in the local base media, which had precipitated this Constitutional brawl spawning nearly universal media coverage all over the planet.
News & Media
But what is of interest for most medical purposes is to know how each gene varies from one person to another and how those variations influence an individual's susceptibility to disease and response to drugs.
News & Media
It is (for some purposes) interesting to know that particular brain areas are activated during particular mental activities; but this does, of course, not explain why they are.
Science
Beside any other information which is a commercial "know how" of the company, the mentioned one was necessary and sufficient for our purposes, namely: to know that we experimented with a pulsed magnetic field of 25 mT.
Science
"They told us the purpose was to know how to defend ourselves and how to confront the occupation," he said.
News & Media
His or her purpose is to know one big thing and, in Ignatieff's words, "strive without ceasing to give reality a unifying shape.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing the reasons for needing information, use more precise phrases like "reasons to know" or "objectives for understanding" for clarity.
Common error
Avoid using "purposes to know" as it's grammatically awkward. Instead, clarify whether you're referring to the reasons for knowing something or the objectives in understanding it.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "purposes to know" attempts to link the reasons or intentions with the act of knowing. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not standard English. It tries to establish a connection between a goal and the acquisition of knowledge.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
16%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "purposes to know" attempts to convey the reasons or objectives behind gaining knowledge, it is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for standard English. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard usage. More appropriate alternatives include "reasons to know", "objectives for understanding", or "aims to learn". These alternatives provide clarity and grammatical correctness, making them suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. It's important to prioritize precise and grammatically sound language to ensure effective communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
reasons for knowing
This alternative focuses on the rationale behind acquiring knowledge, replacing "purposes" with "reasons".
aims to understand
This alternative uses a verb-based structure to emphasize the goal of comprehension, rather than the reasons.
intentions for learning
This phrase highlights the underlying motives for gaining knowledge or skills, substituting "purposes" with "intentions".
objectives in understanding
This alternative focuses on specific targets or goals when seeking understanding, replacing "purposes" with "objectives".
goals for comprehension
This phrase emphasizes the desired outcomes of understanding something, using "goals" instead of "purposes".
rationales behind knowing
This alternative highlights the logical basis or justification for acquiring knowledge, substituting "purposes" with "rationales".
motives to learn
This alternative focuses on the driving forces or incentives for gaining knowledge, replacing "purposes" with "motives".
reasons to be informed
This alternative emphasizes the justification for being knowledgeable or up-to-date on a particular topic, substituting "purposes" with "reasons".
justifications for understanding
This phrase highlights the validity or defensibility of seeking comprehension, replacing "purposes" with "justifications".
driving forces behind knowledge
This alternative focuses on the factors that compel or motivate the pursuit of knowledge, using a more abstract construction.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "purposes to know" to sound more natural?
You can use phrases like "reasons "to know"", "objectives "for understanding"", or "aims "to learn" depending on the context.
Is "purposes to know" grammatically correct?
No, "purposes to know" is not grammatically correct. A better phrasing would be "reasons "for knowing"" or "objectives "for understanding"".
What's the difference between "purposes to know" and "reasons to know"?
"Purposes to know" is grammatically incorrect. Use "reasons "to know"" to refer to the justifications for acquiring knowledge.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
3.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested