purpose vs purposes

Both 'purpose' and 'purposes' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Purpose' is singular and refers to the reason for which something is done or created. 'Purposes' is the plural form of 'purpose' and is used when referring to multiple reasons or intentions.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1904 views

Correct. 'Purpose' is the singular form used to refer to the reason for which something is done or created.

"purpose"

Use 'purpose' when referring to the reason or intention behind an action or creation. It is singular and does not indicate multiple reasons.

Examples:

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new project.
Her purpose in life is to help others.

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The saltwater could serve another purpose.
I warmly support the amendments that serve this purpose.
Article 3 sets the conditions for purpose limitation and proportionality.
The investment plans vary in purpose and geographical extension.
Perhaps her repentant purpose can wait until tomorrow.
Spirit is divine purpose, and spirit mind is divine purpose in action.
The purpose settimani with holidays familiali room.
The purpose of the amendment is greater clarity.
The Government promised another considerable amount for the same purpose.
The purpose of studies needs to be carefully established, because any listings under the two categories could apply and only the main purpose shall be reported.
For that purpose they should use a form containing relevant information on the requestor and the intended purpose of the request.
We have also voted for certain other reserves, provided that they clearly served a purpose and that this purpose was achievable within a clear timeframe.
Guilty of forcing us... serve our purpose.
I fear our purpose is discovered.
All creatures have their purpose, even vampires.
Men of hard purpose and desire.
Knowing effort serves higher purpose is reward enough.
Title and purpose I never desired.
I gave them family and purpose.
Your tongue writhes absent their purpose.

Alternatives:

reason
intention
goal
objective
aim

Correct. 'Purposes' is the plural form of 'purpose' and is used when referring to multiple reasons or intentions.

"purposes"

Use 'purposes' when referring to more than one reason or intention behind actions or creations. It is the plural form of 'purpose.'

Examples:

The software can be used for various purposes.
He had different purposes for visiting the museum.

Show examples from the web [+]

1. This Directive concerns feedingstuffs intended for particular nutritional purposes.
This question may be decisive for jurisdictional purposes.
Scientists can use electro-fishing equipment for various purposes.
Anti-dumping measures must not be abused for protectionist purposes.
Most of these structures are operating and fulfilling their purposes.
Outright open market operations are executed only for structural and fine-tuning purposes.
The Commission may subsequently use these figures for auditing purposes.
This test is included for conformity of production purposes.
However, the compilation for national purposes of these statistics remains optional.
Moreover, this directive will simplify admission procedures for employment purposes.
You cannot evaluate without the basic statistics for comparative purposes.
Counsel is seeking to use this case to grandstand for political purposes.
I use whatever for my purposes.
General Eiling really wanted to develop mind reading capabilities for interrogation purposes.
The Commission was initially opposed to OTC derivatives being used for anything except hedging and related purposes.
The use of GMES for defence purposes is necessary to meet EU needs.
Research aimed at military purposes shall not be funded.
The creation of human embryos for research purposes is prohibited.
One of the main purposes of this regulation is to create an affordable Community patent.
The last sentence is added just for clarification purposes.

Alternatives:

reasons
intentions
goals
objectives
aims

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purpose vs purposes

"purpose"

"purposes"

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