for all intensive purposes
Common eggcorn phrase
A common mishearing of "for all intents and purposes," meaning in every practical sense or virtually.
The standard phrase dates to English law; the eggcorn substitutes *intensive* for *intents and*.
Both versions communicate the same idea—that something is effectively true even if not technically so: For all intensive purposes, she runs the company.
The nonstandard form is widespread enough to be understood, though it may be judged as an error.
- eggcornMisheard phrase that persists
- mondegreenMisperceived lyric or phrase
- effectivelyIn a successful way
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- essentiallyAt its core nature
malapropism · virtually · Freudian slip · basically · in effect · fundamentally · realistically · lost in translation · spoonerism · as good as · same difference · in practice · more or less · by and large · word substitution · close enough · close but no cigar · everyday speech
- Mangled Idiomsrocket surgery
- word errorseggcorn, malapropism, could of, would of, escape goat
intensive, purposes, intend, intent, intention, intentional, intensify, intensity, intense