with a purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

"with a purpose" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the intention behind an action or decision. For example, "He was running late for work with a purpose, hoping it would give him an excuse to leave early".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The curators are hoarders with a purpose.

The New Yorker

Loneliness with a purpose.

The New York Times - Magazine

But with a purpose.

The Guardian

It was almost with a purpose".

The New York Times - Sports

It was money spent with a purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

"I loved partying with a purpose".

The New York Times

Great lawyers are those with a purpose.

The Guardian

That is reform with a purpose.

The Guardian

We were promised pain with a purpose.

The Guardian

But it is playtime with a purpose.

The New York Times - Health

The story was shared with a purpose.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a purpose" to clearly indicate that an action is not random or accidental, but rather driven by a specific intention or objective. For instance, “She invested her time in community projects with a purpose, hoping to make a lasting impact.”

Common error

While "with a purpose" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Instead, consider more sophisticated synonyms like 'deliberately', 'intentionally', or 'with intention' for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the intention or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase indicates that an action is not random but rather is done with a specific objective in mind.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a purpose" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an action is performed intentionally and with a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a valid and useful phrase. It is versatile enough for use in various contexts, although overuse in formal writing should be avoided by considering synonyms. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, indicating its general applicability. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "with a purpose" to add clarity and emphasis to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on purpose

Synonymous phrase; conveys the idea of doing something deliberately and not accidentally.

with intention

Emphasizes the presence of a specific aim or goal in mind.

with a clear goal

Focuses on having a specific and well-defined objective.

with a specific aim

Emphasizes the targeted nature of the action or effort.

intentionally

Single word replacement; highlights the conscious decision behind an action.

deliberately

Single word replacement; focuses on intentionality and planning.

for a reason

Highlights the justification or motive behind an action or decision.

in order to achieve something

Highlights what you are trying to accomplish.

to a specific end

Highlights how the action has an ultimate goal that you try to work towards.

meaningfully

Highlights the importance or significance behind the action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "with a purpose" indicates that something is done intentionally and not randomly. For example, "She studied diligently "with a purpose", determined to excel in her exams".

What are some alternatives to saying "with a purpose"?

You can use alternatives like "on purpose", "intentionally", or "deliberately" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "with a purpose" or "for a purpose"?

Both "with a purpose" and "for a purpose" are grammatically correct, but "with a purpose" is generally more common and idiomatic when describing actions or motivations.

What's the difference between doing something "with a purpose" and doing it "on purpose"?

While similar, "with a purpose" often implies a more meaningful or goal-oriented intention, whereas "on purpose" simply means intentionally, without necessarily implying a noble or significant goal.