various purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

"various purposes" is correct and can be used in written English in many contexts.
For example, "This office building is used for various purposes, including housing medical and legal offices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The choice serves various purposes.

The New Yorker

These concept cars serve various purposes.

The New York Times

Muslims travel for various purposes.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

A small amount, which has been used for various purposes".

The New York Times

§ 309.5 Acceptance of Treasury bills for various purposes.

Cornell University

Social networking sites are specialized and focused towards various purposes.

Stanford University

Spatial predictions of soil properties are needed for various purposes.

Geoderma

They are used routinely for various purposes by large insurance companies, without incident.

The New York Times

And vessels of elaborate designs, varying little from those of today, were developed for various purposes.

The New York Times

He raises the herbs, and his wife experiments with blends for various purposes.

The New Yorker

Library instruction programs are created for various purposes.

Library Instruction Design Learning from Google and Apple

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various purposes", ensure the context clearly indicates what those purposes are, either explicitly or implicitly. This avoids vagueness and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "various purposes" as a vague placeholder. Instead, provide specific examples or a summary of the purposes to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various purposes" functions as a noun phrase modifier, typically acting as an adjective to describe the reasons, aims, or objectives behind an action or object. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase indicates multiplicity in intent or function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "various purposes" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate that something has multiple intentions or applications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across different domains. While its broad nature can be useful for conciseness, providing more specific details about the purposes can enhance clarity. The phrase enjoys widespread adoption in both formal and informal writing, making it a versatile tool for expressing multiplicity. Common contexts for this phrase include news and media, science, and academic writing, but appears across all contexts and is labeled as a very common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple purposes

Emphasizes the number of purposes more directly.

numerous purposes

Highlights the large quantity of purposes.

for a variety of reasons

Similar in meaning, but adds emphasis on the varied nature of the reasons.

several reasons

Shifts the focus to the underlying reasons.

different intentions

Focuses on the planned outcomes or goals.

a range of uses

Highlights the variety of applications.

diverse applications

Emphasizes the variety and scope of the applications.

assorted functions

Focuses on the different roles or tasks performed.

for many reasons

Direct and simple alternative, highlighting the quantity of reasons.

for differing goals

Emphasizes that the goals are not uniform or the same.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "various purposes"?

Alternatives include "multiple purposes", "numerous purposes", or "several reasons" depending on the context.

How can I use "various purposes" in a sentence?

"Various purposes" can be used to indicate that something is used or done for multiple reasons. For example, "The data is collected for various purposes, including research and analysis."

Is it better to list the purposes instead of saying "various purposes"?

In many cases, listing the specific purposes provides greater clarity and is preferable to using the more general "various purposes". However, if the list is extensive or confidential, "various purposes" can serve as a concise alternative.

What is the difference between "various purposes" and "assorted purposes"?

"Various purposes" and "assorted purposes" are quite similar. "Assorted purposes" might subtly emphasize the diversity of the purposes more strongly, but the terms are largely interchangeable.