several purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to multiple goals or aims. For example, "The new business plan had several purposes: to attract new customers, increase efficiency, and open up new markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The scolders serve several purposes.

The New Yorker

The awards have several purposes.

The Guardian

Romney's trip had several purposes.

The New Yorker

His cameo serves several purposes.

The New York Times - Books

Seizing the airfield served several purposes.

The New York Times

The Ipswich rally serves several purposes.

The Guardian

The collection has several purposes, including advertising and public relations.

The New York Times

As a symbol, the sea turtle fulfilled several purposes.

The New York Times - Sports

The foray into the capital served several purposes.

The New York Times

Talk story about a cocktail party that had several purposes.

The New Yorker

But the House debate served several purposes for Republicans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide context to clarify why "several purposes" are relevant or important in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using "several purposes" when only one or two clear aims exist; this can dilute the impact of your message. If the purpose is singular, be direct: state the specific purpose clearly rather than exaggerating the number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several purposes" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It indicates that something has multiple goals or aims. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in a broad range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several purposes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something has multiple aims or objectives. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely applicable in various contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals its frequent usage in news, scientific, and business domains. While various alternatives exist, like "multiple reasons" or "various objectives", "several purposes" maintains a broad and neutral tone. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are crucial, along with avoiding overstatement of the actual number of purposes. Therefore, "several purposes" remains a valuable tool in articulating multifaceted intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several aims

A shorter synonym of "several purposes" focuses on intention or desired outcome.

multiple reasons

Emphasizes the variety of reasons rather than the intended outcomes or functions.

various objectives

Focuses on the goals to be achieved, highlighting different aims.

diverse goals

Highlights the distinct nature of the intended outcomes.

a number of aims

A more formal way to express multiple goals, placing emphasis on intention.

a range of intentions

Focuses on the spectrum of purposes that someone has when doing something.

different functions

Stresses the variety of roles or tasks something can perform.

varied uses

Highlights the multiple ways in which something can be utilized.

multifaceted intention

Implies that the purpose has many parts and is complex in nature.

multiple utilities

Stresses the different benefits or advantages provided.

FAQs

How can I use "several purposes" in a sentence?

You can use "several purposes" to indicate that something has multiple goals or uses. For example, "The project served "several purposes", including improving efficiency and reducing costs."

What's a more formal alternative to "several purposes"?

A more formal alternative could be "a number of aims" or "various objectives". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it better to say "several purposes" or "multiple purposes"?

"Several purposes" and "multiple purposes" are largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic context.

What does it mean when something serves "several purposes"?

It means that the thing in question accomplishes or fulfills more than one goal or function. This indicates versatility or efficiency in design or execution.