whose purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the aims or goals of a person or group in a context where possession is being indicated. Example: "The organization, whose purposes align with our values, is seeking new members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Who's making the canon, and whose purposes does the canon serve?

The New York Times - Arts

Our energies are misdirected to expensive foreign wars whose purposes grow ever more obscure.

The New York Times

He has been incorporated into the process, made part of a system he cannot control, whose purposes and values must dominate his life.

The New Yorker

Brasília's police force has searched Ailanto's premises in Rio de Janeiro, seizing documents.Alongside these deals run three others whose purposes are not immediately obvious.

The Economist

He does not sell to retail "spy stores," which he calls "rip-offs" aimed at wealthy businessmen, nor to private investigators, whose purposes he can never be sure of.

The New York Times - Arts

Collections (also referred to as cabinets) were formed that were far more wide ranging than those of the 15th-century studiolo and whose purposes were more scientific than humanistic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 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

Is there seriously someone in this team whose purpose revolves entirely around throwing boomerangs?

Independent

It was an all-day hearing whose purpose was to record comments on the proposed ruling.

The New Yorker

The school was a mill, whose purpose was to grind you into its product.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whose purposes" to clearly indicate the aims or objectives associated with a specific entity. For example, "the organization, whose purposes include environmental conservation, seeks volunteers".

Common error

Avoid mistaking "whose", a possessive pronoun, with "who's", a contraction of "who is" or "who has". "Whose purposes" indicates possession, while "who's purposes" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose purposes" functions as a possessive determiner, indicating that the "purposes" belong to or are associated with a noun. It connects the purposes to a specific entity, clarifying the aims or goals linked to that entity. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose purposes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the objectives or aims associated with a particular entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While generally neutral to formal in register, it is essential to distinguish it from the incorrect "who's purposes". When writing, remember to use it to clearly specify the goals that are linked to a subject, ensuring precise and effective communication. Alternatives such as "for what goals" or "with what intentions" can be used to vary your writing style, but maintain the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for what goals

Replaces "purposes" with "goals", maintaining a similar meaning but with a slightly different connotation.

with what objectives

Substitutes "purposes" with "objectives", indicating more concrete and measurable aims.

with what intentions

Emphasizes the intended outcome or motivation behind the purposes.

for what reasons

Focuses on the rationale behind the purposes, rather than the purposes themselves.

to what aim

Similar to 'toward what ends', but uses 'aim' to stress the intended objective.

toward what ends

Highlights the ultimate goals or results that the purposes are directed toward.

what are the intentions behind

Similar to 'with what intentions', but phrases it as a direct question.

for whose benefit

Shifts the focus to who gains from the purposes, rather than the purposes themselves.

what is the rationale for

Focuses on the underlying logic or justification for the purposes.

what are the reasons for

Breaks down the phrase to ask directly for the reasons behind the purposes.

FAQs

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

Use "whose purposes" to show possession or association of aims. For example, "The project, whose purposes were not clearly defined, ultimately failed".

What's the difference between "whose purposes" and "that aim to"?

"Whose purposes" indicates a direct association of purposes with a subject, while "that aim to" describes an action. "An organization whose purposes are clear" versus "An organization that aims to improve the community".

Is it correct to say "who's purposes" instead of "whose purposes"?

No, "who's purposes" is incorrect. "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has", while "whose" is the possessive form. Use "whose purposes" to correctly indicate possession.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "whose purposes"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "for what goals", "with what intentions", or "to what aim".