Collocations for purpose - noun
1. aim/function
ADJECTIVE
limited
chief, main, primary, prime, principal
true
sole
whole
original
practical, useful
These bars serve no useful purpose.
chief, main, primary, prime, principal
true
sole
whole
original
practical, useful
These bars serve no useful purpose.
legitimate
general
a general-purpose cleaning fluid
general
a general-purpose cleaning fluid
common
a group of individuals sharing a common purpose
a group of individuals sharing a common purpose
particular,
special,
specific
dual
a toy with the dual purpose of entertaining and developing memory skills
dual
a toy with the dual purpose of entertaining and developing memory skills
intended,
stated
social
the view that art should serve a social purpose
social
the view that art should serve a social purpose
VERB + purpose
have
lack
accomplish, achieve, fulfil/fulfill, serve, suit
The plan achieved its primary purpose, if nothing else.
The article could serve the purpose of generating some discussion.
In my view such debates serve no useful purpose.
lack
accomplish, achieve, fulfil/fulfill, serve, suit
The plan achieved its primary purpose, if nothing else.
The article could serve the purpose of generating some discussion.
In my view such debates serve no useful purpose.
defeat
Computer-animated cartoons that depict humans realistically seem to defeat the whole purpose of animation.
Computer-animated cartoons that depict humans realistically seem to defeat the whole purpose of animation.
PREPOSITION
for a/the purpose
I put the chair there for a purpose.
a measure introduced for the purpose of protecting the interests of investors
I put the chair there for a purpose.
a measure introduced for the purpose of protecting the interests of investors
on purpose
(= intentionally)
He slammed the door on purpose.
He slammed the door on purpose.
PHRASES
at cross purposes
(= not understanding or having the same aims, etc. as each other)
I finally realized that we were talking at cross purposes.
I finally realized that we were talking at cross purposes.
for the express purpose of sth,
with the express purpose of sth
The school was founded with the express purpose of teaching deaf children to speak.
The school was founded with the express purpose of teaching deaf children to speak.
for (all) practical purposes
Nominally she is the secretary, but for all practical purposes she runs the place.
Nominally she is the secretary, but for all practical purposes she runs the place.
your purpose in life
She saw being a doctor as her purpose in life.
She saw being a doctor as her purpose in life.
put sth to (a/some) purpose
The same information can be put to many purposes
The same information can be put to many purposes
a sense of purpose
Encouraged by her example, they all set to work with a fresh sense of purpose.
Encouraged by her example, they all set to work with a fresh sense of purpose.
strength of purpose
They had great confidence and strength of purpose.
They had great confidence and strength of purpose.
2. (purposes) requirements of a particular situation
ADJECTIVE
administrative,
business,
commercial,
domestic,
educational,
insurance,
legal,
medical,
medicinal,
political,
research,
tax,
teaching,
training
You will need to have the vehicle valued for insurance purposes.
You will need to have the vehicle valued for insurance purposes.
comparative
For comparative purposes, the populations of three other cities are also shown.
For comparative purposes, the populations of three other cities are also shown.
PREPOSITION
for … purpose
The drug can be sold for medicinal purposes only.
The drug can be sold for medicinal purposes only.
for the purposes of
(also for the purpose of in AmE)
Let's assume he knows, for the purposes of our argument.
Let's assume he knows, for the purposes of our argument.