for all intensive purposes

The phrase for all intensive purposes is a mondegreen resulting from a mishearing of the phrase for all intents and purposes, which means in every practical sense. Although for all intensive purposes makes no sense, this doesn’t stop some inexpert writers from employing it—for example:

It was a questionable call in the 81st minute that for all intensive purposes decided the outcome.

The student was sharing a story with another student about “Amanda” stealing her fake I.D. Slade reassured the audience that he changed the name for all intensive purposes.

Here are a few examples of correct usage of for all intents and purposes:

Northwest Europe is, for all intents and purposes, every bit as rich as America.

For all intents and purposes, my opinion most always mirrors that of the average Canadian . . .

For all intents and purposes, the Nexus One is a T-Mobile phone.

Even when used correctly, for all intents and purposes generally serves no valuable purpose. If you read the above examples without including for all intents and purposes, nothing is lost.