deliberately

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'deliberately' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'deliberately' to indicate a conscious effort or intention. For example, "The contractor deliberately ignored the instructions, causing delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is no less shocking to consider that, far from being neutral as was claimed at the time, it is clear that the government took a deliberately calculated political approach guided by a complete hostility to the coalfield communities.

The Guardian

Some believe the weather is already being shaped by "chemtrails" – aeroplane contrails deliberately laced with toxic chemicals – and mysterious weather warmongers are, for reasons unknown, making the eastern US unbearably chilly and California stricken by drought.

The Guardian

As demonstrators take to the streets for civil rights in Birmingham, Alabama, a police officer deliberately sets a dog on an unarmed man.

The Guardian - Arts

I couldn't say with absolute certainty that he is deliberately setting out to be regarded as the most unpleasant man in the business, but he is certainly making a good fist of it.

The Guardian - Sport

He acknowledged that his fellow members could have lied to him about who they voted for but claimed that Fifa deliberately tampered with the vote.

The Guardian - Sport

A crisis-hit hospital has been cleared of deliberately manipulating cancer treatment waiting times – with a review finding any failings were the result of managerial incompetence, not corruption.

The Guardian

She had been deliberately homeless ever since and could never bring herself to sleep inside a house.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it is not the first time journalists have been deliberately targeted: Serb television was bombed during the Kosovo conflict because it was seen as an agent and advocate of state terrorism.

The Guardian

There could have been huge benefits to Europe in such convergence, but the process was deliberately sabotaged by US intelligence agencies, working from the hypothesis that a tie-up between the EU and a democratic Russia would pose a major threat to American long-term economic interests.

The Guardian

"Russia is more often than not trying deliberately to be a strategic rival, to deliberately counter the good things we're trying to achieve in the world for no other reason than to just counter them".

The Guardian

Some believe that he will embark on another frenzied round of killing before almost deliberately being caught.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deliberately" to clearly indicate that an action was intentional and not accidental, which adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately" when you mean "hastily" or "recklessly". "Deliberately" implies careful thought, whereas "hastily" suggests impulsiveness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deliberately" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action is performed consciously and intentionally. As shown in Ludwig, it adds a layer of intent to the action described.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deliberately" functions as an adverb that signifies intentionality and conscious action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure you're using it to convey a sense of planned action rather than impulsiveness, and consider synonyms like "intentionally" or "purposely" for varied expression. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its usage across numerous scenarios, highlighting its importance in conveying precise meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally

Direct synonym, emphasizing intent and purpose.

purposely

Similar to intentionally but may suggest greater resolve.

on purpose

Informal way to say "deliberately".

consciously

Emphasizes awareness of the action.

by design

Highlights that something was planned or arranged.

willfully

Emphasizes a stubborn or determined intention.

advisedly

Indicates action taken after careful thought and advice.

calculatedly

Suggests careful planning, often with a strategic aim.

in cold blood

Emphasizes heartless cruelty and malice.

with malice aforethought

Legal term indicating premeditation and intent to harm.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately" in a sentence?

"Deliberately" is used to indicate that an action was done consciously and intentionally. For example, "He "deliberately" ignored the warning signs."

What words can I use instead of "deliberately"?

You can use alternatives like "intentionally", "purposely", or "consciously" depending on the specific context.

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

While both words indicate intention, "deliberately" often suggests more careful consideration or planning, whereas "purposefully" simply means having a clear aim or goal.

When is it appropriate to use "deliberately" in writing?

Use "deliberately" when you want to emphasize that an action was not accidental or unintentional, and that the person or entity involved was fully aware of their actions.