Nelly Min

Reader's question: For all intents and purposes, this post will only focus on natural crystal deodorants. Could you explain “for all intents and purposes”?

My comments:

The phrase "for all intents and purposes" or "to all intents and purposes" means "in every practical sense" or "under most usual circumstances," "in most practical situations," or "for purposes that are practical." Another interpretation could be in practical situations.

Example: To all intents and purposes the case is closed.

The phrase originated in legal language in the 1500s, and it may have been first used in court cases in England. The initial wording may have been "to all intents, constructions and purposes."

A possible use of the phrase in the modern sense could be the following. Say you're interviewing for a job and the boss wants to hire you. She might say, "We still need to check your references, but for all intents and purposes, the job is yours." She means, Provided your references are fine, you've got the job and you can consider yourself employed.

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本文仅代表作者本人观点，与本网立场无关。欢迎大家讨论学术问题，尊重他人，禁止人身攻击和发布一切违反国家现行法律法规的内容。

Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily website.