traditional purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traditional purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the original or historical intent behind an object, practice, or concept. Example: "The traditional purpose of this festival is to celebrate the harvest and bring the community together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If the economic problem is solved, mankind will be deprived of its traditional purpose.

The Washington Post

No one is intrinsically incapable of enjoying art, literature, music or philosophy, and a traditional purpose of education has been to help them to do that.

The Guardian

More and more high street stores are introducing added value services alongside their traditional purpose – and here public services can learn something.

The Guardian

Though many of the styles date back hundreds of years, "not everything has to be used for its traditional purpose," Williams says.

The New York Times

As the mīnār (tower) to the Qūwat-ul-Islām mosque, the Quṭb Mīnār serves the traditional purpose of being the place from which the faithful are called to prayer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Traditional purpose means a customary activity or practice that is rooted in the history of an Indian tribe and is important to the continuation of that tribe's distinct culture.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I was a farmer myself, growing coca for traditional purposes.

The New York Times

The United States opposes commercial whaling, allowing whaling only for traditional purposes, largely by Alaskan Natives.

The New York Times - Science

The plant is legally grown in the country for medicinal and traditional purposes.

The Guardian

Wase emirate continues to function as a unit, within Plateau state, for some traditional purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The act set aside 48,000 acres of Carson National Forest to be held in trust by the federal government for the Taos Pueblo Indians to use for "traditional purposes".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traditional purpose" to emphasize the contrast between past practices and contemporary innovations.

Common error

Avoid using "traditional purpose" without providing adequate context. Clearly explain what the tradition entails and why it is relevant to the current discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traditional purpose" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "traditional" modifies the noun "purpose". According to Ludwig, this combination is grammatically correct and widely used, it serves to describe the original or historically established intention behind something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traditional purpose" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that refers to the original or historically established intent behind something. Ludwig's analysis shows that it is used in contexts such as news, encyclopedias and scientific publications, and is employed to contrast past and present applications. When using this phrase, ensure that there is adequate context that explains what the tradition is and why it is relevant to the discussion. Alternatives such as "historical intent" or "original aim" can be used based on the specific context you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

historical intent

Focuses on the intent as it relates to past events and historical context.

original aim

Emphasizes the initial objective or goal.

customary function

Highlights the role or activity that is typically or habitually performed.

established role

Suggests a function that is recognized and long-standing.

conventional goal

Refers to a widely accepted or standard objective.

typical use

Focuses on the standard or common way something is employed.

long-standing practice

Highlights a practice that has been in place for an extended period.

age-old objective

Emphasizes the great age and historical significance of the aim.

time-honored design

Emphasizes that the design has been honoured because it is well known and trusted.

classic intention

Uses "classic" to refer to something of high quality and lasting value.

FAQs

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

You can use "traditional purpose" to refer to the original or historical intent behind something. For example: "The "traditional purpose" of this tool was for farming, but now it's used in gardening".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "traditional purpose"?

Alternatives include "historical intent", "original aim", or "customary function", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "traditional purpose" and "conventional purpose"?

"Traditional purpose" refers to practices rooted in history and culture, while "conventional purpose" indicates something that is widely accepted or standard, regardless of its historical origins. It's a more general term than "traditional purpose".

Is it correct to say "the traditional purpose was" or "the traditional purpose is"?

Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on whether the "traditional purpose" is still active. Use "was" if it's something that has changed or ceased to exist, and "is" if it's still ongoing.