I would like to know when we use "for the purposes",

Question

Applicants were given cash grants, usually no more than £75, and trusted to use it for the purpose they had proposed -such as buying a bicycle to do a newspaper round, obtaining equipment for a camping trip, or acquiring the wherewithal to learn a new skill or a sport.

The sentence is taken from BNC. I would like to know when we use "for the purposes", which I sometimes see used.

Thanks.

Tamguatlay · Accepted Answer

Can someone please help? Thanks.

Clive · Answer

In your example, for the purpose makes it clear that each person had proposed only one purpose.

Compare
eg He was given a grant for the purpose he had proposed.
eg He was given a grant for the purposes he had proposed.

They were given cash grants for the purposes they had proposed is unclear. We do not know if each person had one purpose or more than one. It may be important to know this, or it may not be.

Clive

I would like to know when we use "for the purposes",

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