Meaning & use
main purpose
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
the most important reason why something is done or exists
Grammar: Usually used with 'the': the main purpose of something is to do something.
Patterns
- the main purpose of something
- the main purpose of doing something
- the main purpose is to do something
The main purpose of the meeting is to agree on a budget.
What is the main purpose of your visit to the country?
The main purpose of the new law is to protect children online.
phrasefixed phrase
the chief aim or function that something is designed to serve
Grammar: Often followed by 'of + noun' or an infinitive: the main purpose of the tool / the main purpose is to cut wood.
Patterns
- serve its main purpose
- the main purpose behind something
The main purpose of this machine is to sort recyclable waste.
The building's main purpose has changed over the years.
Common combinations
- the main purpose of something
- The main purpose of the survey was to find out what customers wanted.
- the main purpose is to do something
- The main purpose is to reduce traffic in the city center.
- serve a main purpose
- The old hall no longer serves its main purpose as a theater.
- the main purpose behind something
- The main purpose behind the change was to save money.
Synonyms and how they differ
- primary purpose
- More formal and common in academic or official writing; 'main purpose' is more neutral and conversational.
- aim
- Focuses on what you hope to achieve rather than the function of a thing; you can have an aim, but a machine has a purpose.
- objective
- A specific goal in a plan or project; 'main purpose' is broader and can describe why something exists.
Word family
- purpose noun
- the reason for doing something or the use of a thing
- purposeful adjective
- showing clear determination or a clear aim
- purposely adverb
- done on purpose, not by accident
Commonly confused: main purpose or main point?
main purpose vs main point
'Main point' means the most important idea in a talk or text, while 'main purpose' means the reason something is done or exists.
Practice
The main purpose of the training is ___ new staff how to use the software.
Choose one answer.
'Purpose' is followed by an infinitive ('to teach') when you say what something is meant to do. 'Teaching' would need a different structure, such as 'The main purpose is teaching new staff', which is possible but less common.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “main purpose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.