it was on purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was on purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action was intentional rather than accidental. Example: "When I spilled the drink, it was on purpose to get attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Another plane has just hit another building," one says, and "That definitely looked like it was on purpose".

The New York Times - Magazine

Whether or not it was on purpose, his coyness played into the sense of helplessness one felt while in the installation.

Vice

On the Web site of Scott's home-town radio station, one person, echoing other commenters wrote, of the "fall,": "It was on purpose, just like the push from a member of the same team").

The New Yorker

(Not from officials or the media, anyway. On the Web site of Scott's home-town radio station, one person, echoing other commenters wrote, of the "fall,": "It was on purpose, just like the push from a member of the same team").

The New Yorker

"I don't think it was on purpose or whatever.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought it was on purpose," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 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

He is still losing his edge, but this time it's on purpose.

The Guardian - Music

"Any time someone gets hit, you never know if it's on purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes it's on purpose, because shadowy forces conspire against us.

The Guardian - Sport

Martha Friedman's "Olive End" suggests something obscene by Richard Artschwager, but you don't care if it's on purpose or not.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was on purpose" to clearly indicate that an action was intentional, leaving no room for ambiguity. This is especially useful when clarifying potential misunderstandings or addressing accusations of accidental behavior.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, avoid using "it was on purpose" excessively in formal or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "it was intentional" or "it was deliberate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was on purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the intentionality of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, indicating that the action wasn't accidental but planned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was on purpose" effectively conveys that an action was intentional rather than accidental. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While widely acceptable, reserve its use for neutral or informal settings, opting for more formal synonyms like "it was intentional" or "it was deliberate" in academic or professional writing. Be mindful of overuse, and ensure clarity by explicitly stating the intended purpose when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was intentional

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of the action, similar to "it was on purpose".

it was deliberate

Highlights the careful consideration behind the action, akin to "it was on purpose".

it was by design

Suggests a pre-planned intention, much like "it was on purpose".

it was calculated

Indicates a strategic or carefully planned action, similar to "it was on purpose".

it was premeditated

Emphasizes the prior planning of the action, sharing a meaning with "it was on purpose".

it was a conscious decision

Highlights the awareness and intent behind the choice, similar to "it was on purpose".

it was no accident

Underscores the lack of chance or randomness, similar to "it was on purpose".

it was meant to happen

Suggests the action was intended to occur, resembling "it was on purpose".

it was orchestrated

Implies a carefully arranged or controlled action, akin to "it was on purpose".

it was engineered

Highlights the skillful planning and execution, similarly to "it was on purpose".

FAQs

What does "it was on purpose" mean?

The phrase "it was on purpose" means that an action was done intentionally, rather than accidentally. It's used to clarify that something was planned or meant to happen.

What can I say instead of "it was on purpose"?

You can use alternatives like "it was intentional", "it was deliberate", or "it was by design" to convey a similar meaning.

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

You can use "it was on purpose" to explain why something happened in a specific way. For example, "I spilled the water, but "it was on purpose" to create a distraction."

Is "it was on purpose" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was on purpose" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "it was intentional" or "it was deliberate" for a more professional tone.