is on purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is on purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action or decision was intentional rather than accidental. Example: "I didn't forget to invite her; it was on purpose because I wanted to keep the gathering small."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It is "on purpose" meaning that if private settlers get ahead of the government it's a win-win for all.

Huffington Post

According to Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness meditation addresses this state of mind by cultivating a state of mind that is "on purpose" and "attentive" to reduce "mind wandering" (see [ 19] for the negative effects of mind wandering).

BioMed Research International

What is On Purpose?

The Guardian

That is on purpose, said Rabbi Charles H. Rosenzveig, the center's founder and director.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course, Enron Field's hill is on purpose; Shea's bumps are unintended.

The New York Times - Sports

The shot that frustrates Brodeur barely even touches the stick, and that is on purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Quiet confidence people are on-purpose people.

Huffington Post

That one was on purpose.

The New Yorker

That was on purpose".

The New Yorker

This was on purpose.

The New York Times

The silences are on purpose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is on purpose" to clearly convey that an action or decision was intentional, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The error seems intentional", clarify with "The error is on purpose."

Common error

Avoid using "is on purpose" when describing unintentional events. Ensure the context clearly indicates intentionality to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is on purpose" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a subject's state or action is intentional rather than accidental. Ludwig confirms its usability, with numerous examples demonstrating its widespread application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is on purpose" effectively communicates that an action, decision, or design was intentional rather than accidental. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, science and wiki sources. While it can be replaced with alternatives like "is intentional" or "is deliberate", its conciseness makes it a valuable tool for clear and direct communication. Remember to ensure the context clarifies intentionality to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is intentional

Replaces "on purpose" with the adjective "intentional", directly stating the action was planned.

is deliberate

Substitutes "on purpose" with "deliberate", emphasizing careful consideration before the action.

is by design

Indicates the action was planned as part of a larger plan or system.

is calculated

Suggests the action was carefully planned to achieve a specific outcome, often with a strategic element.

is premeditated

Highlights that the action was thought out and planned in advance, often implying a more serious intent.

is purposed

A less common but still valid way of saying something was done with a specific aim.

is willful

Emphasizes that the action was done intentionally, even against advice or expectations.

is knowing

Implies the action was done with full awareness of the consequences.

is studied

Suggests the action was carefully considered and planned, often in a formal or academic context.

is schematic

It emphasizes that something has been made or it's working following a plan

FAQs

How can I use "is on purpose" in a sentence?

Use "is on purpose" to indicate that an action or decision was intentional rather than accidental. For example, "I didn't forget to invite her; it "is on purpose" because I wanted to keep the gathering small."

What can I say instead of "is on purpose"?

You can use alternatives like "is intentional", "is deliberate", or "is by design" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is on purpose" or "was done on purpose"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""is on purpose"" is more concise. "Was done on purpose" is more verbose but equally acceptable.

Is there a difference between "is on purpose" and "is for a purpose"?

Yes, ""is on purpose"" means something is done intentionally. "Is for a purpose" means something exists to fulfill a specific function or goal. For example, "This tool is for a purpose", it's not the same as saying "this tool action is on purpose".