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