sole purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something's only reason or main goal. For example: "The sole purpose of the meeting was to discuss the upcoming new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its sole purpose: to raise oil taxes.

The Economist

This is the sole purpose of terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's the sole purpose of it".

The Guardian

With the sole purpose of extinguishing the Knicks' new life.

The New York Times - Sports

Superannuation funds need to satisfy the sole purpose test.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Their sole purpose in life is to fight".

The New York Times

Your sole purpose is to give them cash and lifts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The sole purpose of this very expensive cable?

The Guardian - Opinion

Its sole purpose had been the prevention of Habsburg hegemony.

Britannica

"Its sole purpose and concern is money, money, money".

The New York Times

At first, the sole purpose was to rehabilitate injured pelicans.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole purpose" to clearly and concisely convey that there is only one reason or aim for something, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The "sole purpose" of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the new drug".

Common error

Avoid using "sole purpose" when the context already implies uniqueness or exclusivity. For instance, instead of saying "The "sole purpose" was to only focus on cost reduction", consider "The purpose was to focus on cost reduction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole purpose" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies or defines the singular aim or reason behind something. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole purpose" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to emphasize the singular and exclusive reason for something. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in written English. Its primary function is to clarify that there are no other contributing reasons or goals. While suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and business, it's important to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "exclusive purpose" or "only objective" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The frequent appearance of the phrase in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive purpose

Emphasizes the uniqueness and restriction of the purpose.

only objective

Highlights the singularity of the goal.

primary intention

Focuses on the main aim or motive behind an action.

single goal

Stresses the unified and undivided nature of the objective.

main reason

Indicates the principal cause or justification.

chief aim

Highlights the most important goal or target.

fundamental reason

Underscores the foundational cause or purpose.

essential function

Focuses on the critical role or task something performs.

key objective

Emphasizes the importance of the goal to be achieved.

underlying motive

Highlights the hidden or less obvious reason.

FAQs

How can I use "sole purpose" in a sentence?

Use "sole purpose" to emphasize the one and only reason for something. For example, "The "sole purpose" of this meeting is to discuss the budget."

What are some alternatives to using "sole purpose"?

You can use alternatives like "exclusive purpose", "only objective", or "primary intention" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "sole and only purpose"?

Yes, saying "sole and only purpose" is generally considered redundant because "sole" already implies that there is only one purpose. It's best to stick with just "sole purpose".

What is the difference between "sole purpose" and "main purpose"?

"Sole purpose" indicates that there is only one purpose, while "main purpose" suggests there may be other purposes, but one is the most important. Use "sole purpose" when there is truly only one reason or aim.