valid purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "valid purpose" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a legitimate reason for doing something. For example, "We can access the patient's medical records for a valid purpose only."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

No valid purpose is served to supply the same information to the general public".

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, then, the classification system serves a perfectly valid purpose.

The New York Times

"If the court has got to be used for some reason for some valid purpose, that's another issue".

The New York Times

The foundation is Peter Drucker's insight of 1973: the only valid purpose of a firm is to create a customer.

Harvard Business Review

"This is just a repeated example of why outside oversight has a valid purpose," Ms. Lebow said.

The New York Times

The plaintiff says that no valid purpose existed — the entire transaction was a mere subterfuge designed to eliminate the minority.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Psychiatric researchers said the studies had valid purposes.

The New York Times - Science

A5 Canada Screens Gun Imports Canadian officials, responding to request from Washington, are reviewing all licenses for the import of firearms from the United States to ensure they were for valid purposes.

The New York Times

In the same manner that diverse study designs address diverse research questions, different approaches to combining scientific literature serve different and valid purposes.

The Veterinary Journal

The third factor asks whether the secondary use employs more of the copyrighted work than is necessary, and whether the copying was excessive in relation to any valid purposes asserted under the first factor.

Harvard University

Pichai didn't seem like a man running two horses with the intent of picking the winning one late in the game; Chrome and Android both came off as equally worthy pursuits that Google intends to continue for different but equally valid purposes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and impact, quantify or qualify the "valid purpose" with specific outcomes or benefits whenever possible. For example, instead of "a valid purpose", consider "a valid purpose that improves efficiency by 20%".

Common error

Avoid using "valid purpose" as a vague justification without providing sufficient context. Always clarify why the purpose is considered valid and what specific goals it aims to achieve. If you cannot succinctly clarify the validity of a goal it is likely not a "valid purpose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valid purpose" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "valid" modifies the noun "purpose". It indicates that the purpose in question is legitimate, justifiable, or acceptable. This phrase is often used to provide justification or rationale for actions or decisions, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "valid purpose" is a commonly used phrase that serves to legitimize an action or decision by providing a justifiable reason. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It is most frequently used in news, academic, and business contexts, signaling its adaptability across different domains. When using "valid purpose", ensure to provide sufficient context to substantiate the legitimacy of the stated purpose. Alternatives such as "legitimate reason", "justifiable cause", and "sound rationale" can be used to add nuance, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate reason

Focuses more on the reason behind something being acceptable.

justifiable cause

Emphasizes the justification or defense of an action.

sound rationale

Highlights the logical and reasonable basis for something.

good reason

A more general and less formal way of expressing a valid justification.

defensible motive

Focuses on the motivation behind an action being justifiable.

acceptable ground

Indicates that there is a basis for acceptance or approval.

adequate justification

Highlights that the provided reason is sufficient.

sufficient basis

Emphasizes the foundation or support for an action or decision.

proper objective

Focuses on the appropriateness and legitimacy of the goal.

reasonable aim

Suggests that the goal is logical and attainable.

FAQs

What does "valid purpose" mean?

"Valid purpose" refers to a legitimate, justifiable, or acceptable reason for doing something. It implies that there is a sound basis or rationale behind an action or decision.

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

You can use "valid purpose" to describe the reason behind an action, such as, "The data was collected for a "valid purpose" – foreign intelligence and counter-terrorism".

What are some alternatives to "valid purpose"?

Some alternatives to "valid purpose" include "legitimate reason", "justifiable cause", or "sound rationale", depending on the specific context.

Is "valid purpose" formal or informal?

"Valid purpose" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing or discussions where there is a need to justify an action or decision. Alternative options for less formal settings include "good reason".