with harmful purposes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with harmful purposes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, intentions, or activities that are intended to cause harm or damage. Example: "The organization was investigated for its activities that were found to be with harmful purposes, targeting vulnerable communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Novelty Seeking was positively correlated with harmful addictions, and Cooperativeness was negatively correlated with harmful addictions, in both groups.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Huntington Beach removing trees infected with harmful beetles.

Los Angeles Times

Avoid products with harmful ingredients.

WikiHow

Avoid filling the emptiness with harmful habits.

WikiHow

We do this by investing ecologically-harmful practices with worthy purposes through social, national, and economic justifications.

Huffington Post

Examine nutrients with potential harmful effect on the fetus.

Cornell University

It is software that is designed with a harmful intent.

Computers & Security

(Walk in with purpose).

The New York Times

Governments can use the revenue from taxes levied to discourage harmful societal outcomes for purposes unrelated to the harm itself.

The New Yorker

PAGE A10 Remarks With a Purpose When Senator John Kerry made offhanded remarks about Republicans this week, some aides say, the comments were not accidental but the move of an astute politician aiming a spotlight on a topic harmful to his opponent.

The New York Times

Loneliness with a purpose.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intent behind actions that could be misinterpreted, using a phrase like "with harmful purposes" can clarify the negative consequences one seeks to create or achieve. Be specific to prevent misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using vague terms like "bad intentions" when you can use more specific and impactful phrases like "with harmful purposes" to precisely convey the intended negative outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with harmful purposes" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, describing the intent behind an action. Based on Ludwig AI analysis, this phrase specifies the motivation driving the action, indicating that the action is performed with the intention to cause harm or damage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with harmful purposes" is a grammatically correct construction used to denote the intent to cause harm. Based on Ludwig's analysis, it serves to underscore malevolence, assign responsibility, and prevent ambiguity. Although grammatically sound, it is more appropriate for formal settings due to its precise and often legalistic tone, with alternatives like "with malicious intent" and "for destructive ends" available for similar but nuanced meanings. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to effectively convey intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with malicious intent

This alternative emphasizes the deliberate and malevolent nature of the intention.

with ill intentions

A more general term expressing bad or evil intentions.

for destructive ends

This highlights the damaging outcomes or results that are being sought.

with detrimental aims

This focuses on goals that are designed to be harmful or unfavorable.

with injurious designs

This suggests a planned or calculated approach to causing harm.

for malevolent reasons

This emphasizes the evil or spiteful motivations behind the actions.

with damaging objectives

This underscores the intention to cause damage as the main goal.

for nefarious schemes

This implies involvement in wicked or criminal plans.

with sinister motives

This suggests underlying, threatening reasons for one's actions.

for vindictive reasons

Highlights reasons rooted in revenge and retaliation.

FAQs

How can I use "with harmful purposes" in a sentence?

To use "with harmful purposes" effectively, ensure the context clearly illustrates actions intended to cause damage or negativity. For example, "The organization was investigated for its activities that were found to be "with harmful purposes", targeting vulnerable communities".

What are some alternatives to "with harmful purposes"?

You can use alternatives such as "with malicious intent", "for destructive ends", or "with detrimental aims" depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

Is "with harmful purposes" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "with harmful purposes" can sound formal or legalistic. In everyday conversation, consider more direct options like "to cause trouble" or "to make problems" for a more natural tone.

What's the difference between "with harmful purposes" and "for a harmful purpose"?

"With harmful purposes" suggests the actions themselves are driven by an intention to cause harm. "For a harmful purpose" implies the overall goal is harmful, even if the immediate actions aren't inherently destructive. The choice depends on whether the actions or the ultimate objective are the focus.