doing it on purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing it on purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate that someone intentionally did something for a specific reason or with a specific intention. Example: She knew that forgetting his birthday would upset him, but she did it on purpose because she was angry with him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one is doing it on purpose".

The New York Times - Sports

But no one is doing it on purpose.

The New York Times

They're not doing it on purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

And unlike DiMaggio, they are doing it on purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

Without doing it on purpose, he gave me his passion.

The New York Times

Some people accused me of doing it on purpose.

The New York Times - Travel

Besides, it's not like Page is doing it on purpose.

The Washington Post

But I don't remember people claiming he was doing it on purpose because he hated America.

The New York Times

I don't care what anybody says, they're doing it on purpose.

The New Yorker

It was clear he was doing it on purpose to humiliate me".

Independent

I don't recall doing it on purpose or avoiding it on purpose.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing it on purpose" to clearly convey that an action was intentional, especially when clarifying intent might prevent misunderstanding or accusations of accidental behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "doing it on purpose" when describing actions that were clearly unintentional or accidental. Misusing it can lead to misinterpretations and damage trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing it on purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that the action was performed intentionally. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing it on purpose" is a common and grammatically correct way to express intentionality, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is mostly used in news and media contexts. While generally considered informal, it effectively conveys that an action was performed deliberately rather than accidentally. Be mindful of the context and choose more formal alternatives when appropriate to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing it intentionally

Highlights the intent behind the action.

acting purposefully

Underscores the reason or goal behind the action.

acting deliberately

Emphasizes the act of acting with conscious intention.

doing it consciously

Stresses awareness and deliberate thought in performing the action.

acting with intent

Focuses on having a pre-determined goal in mind while acting.

doing it by design

Suggests that the action was planned or schemed.

committing the act deliberately

Adds a formal tone and emphasizes the conscious decision to act.

undertaking it with intention

Highlights a planned approach to a task or endeavor.

maneuvering with purpose

Implies skillful or strategic action toward a specific aim.

plotting intentionally

Focuses on a premeditated and potentially secretive plan.

FAQs

What does "doing it on purpose" mean?

The phrase "doing it on purpose" means performing an action intentionally or deliberately, rather than accidentally or unintentionally.

How can I use "doing it on purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "doing it on purpose" to emphasize that an action was intentional. For example: "She knew it would upset him, but she did it "doing it on purpose"".

What are some alternatives to "doing it on purpose"?

Some alternatives include "acting deliberately", "doing it intentionally", or "acting purposefully", depending on the specific context.

Is "doing it on purpose" formal or informal?

"Doing it on purpose" is generally considered informal and is suitable for everyday conversation. More formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic settings, like "committing the act deliberately".