ulterior design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ulterior design" is not commonly used in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when referring to a hidden or secret intention behind a design or plan, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The architect's ulterior design was to create a space that would subtly influence the behavior of its occupants."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fun and games have an ulterior purpose.

The New York Times

To collect more information and to use it for ulterior analyses we designed an instrument with 4 sections.

BMC Medical Education

Those latter ones call for ulterior requirements when any new design process is conceived.

Energy Procedia

Faking illnesses is the intentional production of false and exaggerated physical symptoms designed to achieve an ulterior motive.

WikiHow

Nothing is designed for pure goodness, it's all with the ulterior motive of recruiting and making money".

Vice

And he said the "avalanche of arguments" against regulations designed to ensure the free flow of online traffic showed that the industry's major firms had ulterior motives.

Los Angeles Times

No ulterior motives.

The Guardian - Music

Trashing of Shea: Ulterior Motive?

The New York Times - Sports

Sadie has an ulterior motive.

The New York Times - Books

He had no ulterior motive.

The New Yorker

There may be ulterior motives.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ulterior design", ensure the context clearly indicates the intention is deliberately concealed or not immediately apparent. Overuse can lead to suspicion or a conspiratorial tone.

Common error

Avoid using "ulterior design" when you simply mean 'design'. The term implies a hidden or secondary motive, not just the basic concept of planning or creation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ulterior design" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a hidden or concealed purpose behind a plan or action. Ludwig's analysis suggests that it's not a very common expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ulterior design" refers to a hidden or secret intention behind a plan or design. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a frequently used phrase, as indicated by Ludwig. It often conveys a sense of suspicion or strategic concealment. More common alternatives include "hidden motive" or "secret agenda". Due to its infrequent usage, care should be taken to ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning. Ludwig AI analysis and real-world examples highlight that "ulterior design", as a phrase, is more about implying a clandestine purpose rather than simply describing a plan or intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hidden motive

Focuses on the concealed reason behind an action.

secret agenda

Emphasizes a clandestine plan or goal.

covert intention

Highlights the concealed nature of the purpose.

secondary objective

Indicates an additional, less obvious goal.

underlying purpose

Suggests a foundational, often unstated reason.

unspoken aim

Points to a goal that is not explicitly expressed.

tacit goal

Implies a goal understood without being openly stated.

veiled motive

Highlights the obscured or disguised nature of the reason.

concealed plan

Focuses on the hidden nature of a strategic scheme.

private ambition

Emphasizes a personal and undisclosed aspiration.

FAQs

What does "ulterior design" mean?

The phrase "ulterior design" refers to a hidden or secret intention behind a plan or action. It suggests that there's more to the design than what is immediately apparent.

How can I use "ulterior design" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's stated goal was environmental sustainability, but some suspected an "ulterior design" to improve its public image."

What are some alternatives to "ulterior design"?

You can use alternatives like "hidden motive", "secret agenda", or "covert intention" depending on the context.

Is "ulterior design" a commonly used phrase?

No, "ulterior design" is not a very common phrase. Alternatives like "hidden agenda" or "ulterior motive" are more frequently used.