whose purpose is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose purpose is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the intended function or goal of a subject or object in a sentence. Example: "The committee has been established, whose purpose is to improve community engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New buildings whose purpose is unclear.

The New Yorker

This is a state whose purpose is to maximise the opportunities for all members of society.

The Economist

A cat is still technically a possession, but a possession whose purpose is companionship.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There were Katyusha, whose purpose is to hit civilians," Vilnai told Israeli Army Radio.

The Guardian

"Developers are private-sector entities whose purpose is to make money.

The New York Times - Magazine

Users, but not customers, of a company whose purpose is undefined.

The Guardian - Tech

It's natural to make use of a form whose purpose is to communicate a message".

The New York Times

The performers were Band Together, whose purpose is to raise money for those in need.

The New York Times

Bartlett believes it's no coincidence that we've embraced a character whose purpose is travel and adventure.

The Guardian

All are connected to groups whose purpose is to change the direction of public life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes, however, you come across an exhibition whose purpose is to amuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whose purpose is", ensure that the subject possessing the purpose is clearly defined and grammatically linked to the phrase for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "whose purpose is" in a way that creates a dangling modifier. Ensure the phrase directly follows the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose purpose is" functions as a relative clause that modifies a noun by specifying its intended function or objective. It adds essential information about the noun's role or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose purpose is" serves as a relative clause to define the intended function or goal of a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid misplaced modifiers. Consider related phrases like "that aims to" or "which is intended to" for stylistic variation. With its frequent use across various reputable sources, "whose purpose is" remains a valuable tool for precise and informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that aims to

Focuses on the intention or objective behind something, similar to stating its purpose.

which is intended to

Emphasizes the intended function or design of something.

whose function is

Directly replaces 'purpose' with 'function', maintaining the meaning.

that serves to

Highlights the action or function that something performs.

with the aim of

Expresses the goal or objective in a more concise way.

that has the function of

A more verbose way of stating the function or role.

with the objective of

Emphasizes the specific objective or goal.

designed to

Focuses on the design aspect and its intended outcome.

intended for

Highlights the intended recipient or use case.

meant to

Similar to 'intended to', but can also imply a less formal expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "whose purpose is" in a sentence?

Use "whose purpose is" to define the goal or function of a noun. For example, "The committee, whose purpose is to improve community relations, will meet next week."

What are some alternatives to "whose purpose is"?

Alternatives include "that aims to", "which is intended to", or "that serves to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "whose purpose are"?

No, use "whose purpose is" when referring to a singular noun and "whose purposes are" when referring to a plural noun. For example, "The team, whose purpose is to win, is training hard" versus "The teams, whose purposes are varied, compete fairly."

What's the difference between "whose purpose is" and "with the purpose of"?

"Whose purpose is" is a relative clause that defines a noun's function, while "with the purpose of" is a prepositional phrase that introduces a goal or intention. For example, "a tool "whose purpose is" cutting" versus "He came with the purpose of negotiating".