to that avail

USAGE SUMMARY

'to that avail' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something was done to achieve a particular result. For example, "The committee worked hard to come up with a solution to the problem, but to that avail, they could not find a satisfactory answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To that avail, I designed a staircase that, in its irregularity, demands not only the physical investment of the climb, but also the care one needs to put into finding a solid step among such triangular difficulty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are at least four conditions that avail themselves to anticipating something favorable occurring when we welcome a new perspective knocking at the door.

Huffington Post

April 2011 - "At our school we take every opportunity that avails itself to us to.

Unicef

Moreover, we develop predictive models that are capable of predicting compartment associations of any amino acid sequence that avails itself to the nuclear environment.

BMC Systems Biology

The former declared that it would be wrong to do anything risky; the latter reminded them, to no avail, that the current policy of running up huge debts to finance public works is already very risky).

The New York Times

I've done that, to no avail".

The New York Times

They urged, to no avail, that we wait to see the actual budget results.

The New York Times

Keckley kept trying to explain, to no avail, that she meant only to defend the first lady.

The New York Times

Mourning complained, to no avail, that Sprewell never requested it and, in fact, stepped out of bounds.

The New York Times - Sports

The pass was intended for Coles, who argued to no avail that he had been interfered with by cornerback Corey Ivy.

The New York Times - Sports

His critics have complained, to little avail, that the law could have the effect of causing judges to throw out several accounting fraud cases pending against Mr. Berlusconi.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to that avail", ensure the sentence structure clearly connects the action with its intended result, making the purpose explicit.

Common error

Avoid using "to that avail" when describing unintended consequences. This phrase indicates a deliberate action taken for a specific purpose, not an accidental outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to that avail" functions as an adverbial phrase or purpose connector, indicating the intention or purpose behind an action. Ludwig confirms its validity as an English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to that avail" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the intended purpose behind an action, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in usage, it is most commonly found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts, lending a formal and professional tone to writing. The phrase functions as a connector, clearly linking an action with its desired outcome. Alternatives such as "to that end" and "for that purpose" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis. Be mindful to use it for intended results only, not unintended consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to that end

Replaces 'avail' with 'end', focusing on the purpose or goal being pursued.

for that purpose

Uses 'purpose' instead of 'avail', highlighting the intention behind an action.

to achieve that

Directly states the intention of accomplishing a particular outcome.

with that in mind

Emphasizes considering a specific fact or goal when acting.

toward that goal

Focuses on directing efforts towards a specific objective.

in pursuit of that

Highlights the act of striving to achieve something specific.

with the aim of that

Specifies the objective or target of an action.

intending that

Emphasizes the planned or intended result.

so that may happen

Expresses the desired result or consequence of an action.

in hopes of that

Suggests a desire or wish for a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "to that avail" in a sentence?

"To that avail" is used to indicate that something was done to achieve a particular result. For example: "The new policy was implemented to improve employee morale, and to that avail, several team-building activities were organized."

What phrases are similar to "to that avail"?

Similar phrases include "to that end", "for that purpose", or "with that in mind".

Is "to that avail" formal or informal?

"To that avail" is generally considered a more formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "to that avail" and "to no avail"?

"To that avail" indicates an action taken with a specific purpose, whereas "to no avail" means that an effort was unsuccessful. They have opposite meanings.