purposes to which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purposes to which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific aims or objectives in a formal context. Example: "The research was conducted for the purposes to which the funding was allocated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"The purposes to which our forecasts are being put have real consequences to real people".

The New York Times

But they struggled at it, largely because the purposes to which intelligence were put were complex and at times contradictory.

The New York Times

The actors who appear in the nightly hat parade have become attached to their assigned headgear, in spite of the dark purposes to which the hats are put.

The New Yorker

To answer that question, classicists lately have been imagining the purposes to which public performance of erotic poems might have been put.

The New Yorker

"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!" Extracted from their contexts, such declarations read like the text on inspirational posters or quote-a-day calendars — purposes to which they are routinely put.

The New Yorker

In civil-law jurisdictions, many of the purposes to which the Anglo-American trust is put can be achieved in other ways.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But in rambling through the luxuriant undergrowth of this new novel, you do wonder about the purpose to which his talent is being put.

The New York Times - Books

Jens is deeply hurt by his father's and his sister's disapproval of the purpose to which he has applied his talents.

The New York Times - Books

You could almost say the Iraqi tribal structure was built for the very purpose to which the U.S. counterinsurgency eventually put it.

The New York Times - Magazine

It helps that they tend to have a clear purpose to which these underpaid employees and volunteers are often personally committed.

The Economist

The failure of the male erection was seen as a shameful lapse, regardless of the purpose to which it might have been put.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "purposes to which", ensure the sentence maintains a formal tone. This phrase is best suited for academic, legal, or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "purposes to which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "why" or "what for" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "purposes to which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying the intended uses or objectives associated with it. Ludwig AI provides several examples demonstrating its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "purposes to which" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it lends a formal tone to writing, making it suitable for academic, scientific, or professional contexts. Ludwig examples show that it's frequently used in news, media, and scientific publications. It is used to precisely specify the intended use, application, or objective, and writers should consider simpler alternatives like "why" or "what for" in more casual settings. Remember to choose the phrasing that best fits the tone and audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims for which

Replaces "purposes" with "aims", which is a more direct synonym, slightly simplifying the phrase.

objectives for which

Substitutes "purposes" with "objectives", focusing on specific, measurable goals.

reasons for which

Replaces "purposes" with "reasons", shifting the focus to justifications or explanations.

goals that

Simplifies the phrase by using "goals" instead of "purposes" and restructuring the prepositional phrase.

ends that

Uses "ends" as a synonym for "purposes", giving a more formal or philosophical tone.

intentions behind

Changes the structure to focus on the underlying intentions rather than the explicit purposes.

the reasons why

Highlights the causality behind the objectives. It's more verbose but very clear.

the functions served by

Shifts the focus to the practical functions or roles that something fulfills.

the rationale behind

Emphasizes the logical justification or reasoning for something.

the motivations for

Highlights the underlying drivers or incentives for an action or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "purposes to which" in a sentence?

Use "purposes to which" to specify the intended uses or aims for something, typically in formal writing. For example: "The funds were allocated for specific "aims for which" the project was designed."

What's a simpler alternative to "purposes to which"?

Depending on the context, you can use simpler alternatives like "why", "what for", or rephrase the sentence to use "for what "reasons"".

Is it correct to use "purposes for which" instead of "purposes to which"?

Both "purposes to which" and "purposes for which" are grammatically correct, but "purposes to which" is more formal and somewhat less common. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What is the difference between "goals" and "purposes to which"?

"Goals" refers to specific, measurable outcomes, while "purposes to which" encompasses broader intentions or aims. You might allocate funds to specific goals to serve wider "intentions behind" the project.