Purposely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Purposely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is done intentionally or with a specific purpose in mind. Example: "She purposely left the door open to let in some fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How many specialised MBAs exist is hard to define, as schools routinely offer some degree of concentration and the dividing line between a general-purpose MBA with a few sector-specific add-ons and one purposely designed around an industry is not always clear.

The Economist

The system is historically, not purposely, biased in favour of Labour.

The Guardian

Ultimately, it seems the government is willing to defend some types of extremism, but the line of acceptability is not only blurred but purposely hidden behind legal lines.

The Guardian

We purposely published the modern slavery bill in draft form for pre-legislative scrutiny so that we could listen and respond to constructive contributions and concerns.

The Guardian

He purposely tried to kill the company".

The Guardian

If a speaker purposely threatens someone, or knows that his statement "will be viewed as a threat", the court held, he could face conviction.

The Economist

But an inadvertently leaked report from America's Federal Trade Commission, which ultimately decided not to sue Google, suggests the firm has a case to answer: it says that Google purposely demoted rival sites.

The Economist

Christianity, for instance, to recur to our primary illustration, was not promulgated until the "fulness of time;" and some of the greatest of those inventions which have blessed the human race have been, as it were, purposely retarded until the world had been prepared for it.

The Economist

Did audiences at "Disclosure", for instance, not realise that the film's true purpose was to undermine Malaysia (by showing it producing dusty microchips)?Why is the West so purposely malicious?

The Economist

Along with the "match", the user can then click on what each party has said about each question and can filter according to the issues they care about".One advantage of our method is that we can push parties to clear up positions they've purposely left murky," says Andre Krouwel, who oversees the project.

The Economist

Professors I knew were also too pre-occupied with their own careers to purposely inflate their twenty-year old students' grades just so they could land a good internship at an investment bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purposely" to clearly indicate that an action was intentional, distinguishing it from actions that might be accidental or unintentional. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

While similar, "purposely" often implies a more specific intent or goal than "purposefully". Avoid using them interchangeably without considering the subtle difference in emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "purposely" modifies verbs to indicate that an action was performed intentionally or with a specific aim. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples demonstrating its function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purposely" is a grammatically sound adverb used to express that an action is performed intentionally. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse sources, confirming its versatility and proper usage. The word appears frequently in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While synonyms like "intentionally" or "deliberately" exist, choosing "purposely" adds a specific nuance by emphasizing a particular intent, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When writing, remember to use "purposely" to distinguish deliberate actions from unintentional ones. While "purposely" and "purposefully" are similar, "purposely" implies a more targeted aim. Use it wisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Intentionally

Direct synonym, emphasizing a clear and conscious intent.

Purposefully

Close synonym, stressing the presence of a defined purpose.

Deliberately

Implies careful consideration and premeditation before acting.

On purpose

Informal equivalent, highlighting a specific aim or goal.

By design

Suggests a planned or structured approach to achieve a result.

Consciously

Highlights the awareness and intent behind an action.

Designedly

Stresses that something was created or arranged with a specific aim.

Knowingly

Emphasizes awareness of the consequences of an action.

Advisedly

Suggests acting after careful thought and consideration of consequences.

With intent

Formal and legalistic phrasing, stressing a specific intention.

FAQs

How can I use "purposely" in a sentence?

Use "purposely" to indicate that an action was done intentionally or with a specific aim. For example, "She "purposely" left the door open."

What words are similar to "purposely"?

Alternatives to "purposely" include "intentionally", "deliberately", and "on purpose". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "purposely" and "purposefully"?

While closely related, "purposely" emphasizes a specific intent, while "purposefully" often suggests acting with a sense of determination or having a clear objective.

When is it appropriate to use "purposely" in formal writing?

Use "purposely" in formal writing when you need to clearly convey that an action was not accidental but was done with a definite intention or design. Ensure it aligns with the tone and register of your writing.