for all intents and purposes

The idiom for all intents and purposes originated in the 16th century English law. It is used to say one thing is similar to another or for all functional purposes.

The word intents, spelled i-n-t-e-n-t-s, is often erroneously replaced with intense, spelled i-n-t-e-n-s-e. This changes the meaning of the idiom. Do not confuse the two words. The correct idiom is for all intents and purposes.

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