For/To all intents and purposes

[Benjamin Barrett]

If not guidance, could members tell me whether they find "for all
intents and purposes" ungrammatical or unacceptable? BB

Benjamin Barrett wrote:
> I sent in a dictionary correction for this item and was told that the
> expression is "to all intents and purposes". The citation given me as
> evidence is
> http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/Is_the_saying_%27all_intents_and_purposes%27_or_%27all_intense_purposes%27.
>
>
> To me, "for" sounds much better" and I don't see a reason to cite one
> or the other as being correct (and Google gives over a million hits
> for each).
>
> Another point in my favor is the citation actually claims "to" is
> correct" but then gives "for" in its example.
>
> Most of the citation:
> -----
> The correct phrase is "TO all intents and purposes" which dates back
> to the 1500s and originated in English law, where it was to all
> intents, constructions, and purposes. The phrase is generally used to
> compare two unlike acts or deeds, i.e., "She went to his room and
> drank with him, which he viewed - for all intents and purposes - as
> consent to sex."
>
> From being misheard and repeated, people also say "FOR all intents and
> purposes" but that is a product of the original phrase being misheard
> and repeated.
> -----
>
> Can anyone provide guidance here?
>
> Benjamin Barrett
> Baking the World a Better Place
> www.hiroki.us
>

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org