on purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on purpose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was done intentionally or deliberately. Example: "She spilled the drink on purpose to get his attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It misses on purpose.

The Guardian - Books

"People set them free on purpose.

The New York Times

That one was on purpose.

The New Yorker

"No-one does this on purpose.

BBC

No one is doing it on purpose".

The New York Times - Sports

Only one had been killed on purpose.

The New York Times

That was on purpose".

The New Yorker

Bottlenecks on Purpose Q.

The New York Times

On purpose, no less.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not on purpose.

The New York Times - Sports

This was on purpose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on purpose" to clearly indicate intentionality, especially when contrasting it with accidental occurrences. For example, "He didn't stumble; he fell on purpose."

Common error

Avoid using "with a purpose" when you mean "on purpose". "With a purpose" describes having a goal or aim, whereas "on purpose" means doing something intentionally. For example, say "She broke the vase on purpose" (intentional action), not "She broke the vase with a purpose" (which implies she had a goal in breaking it).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on purpose" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action was carried out intentionally. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a common way to express intentionality. For example, "He broke the glass on purpose."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on purpose" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action was done intentionally. Ludwig AI confirms its high usability and correctness. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly informal tone. While alternatives like "deliberately" or "intentionally" exist, "on purpose" offers a straightforward way to express that something wasn't an accident but was, in fact, planned or intended. Remember to use "on purpose" when you want to clearly contrast an action with an accidental occurrence and be mindful not to confuse it with "with a purpose". The phrase's widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberately

This alternative is a single word that conveys the same meaning of doing something intentionally.

intentionally

This alternative is a formal synonym that emphasizes the presence of a specific intention.

purposely

This alternative is very close in meaning, highlighting that the action was done with a clear aim.

by design

This alternative shifts the focus to the planning or arrangement behind the action.

with malice aforethought

This alternative implies a pre-planned intention to cause harm or damage.

knowingly

This alternative indicates awareness and understanding that the action would have a certain result.

expressly

This alternative suggests that the action was done explicitly and unambiguously.

calculatedly

This alternative highlights that the action was carefully planned to achieve a specific outcome.

advisedly

This alternative suggests that the action was considered and done after careful thought.

aforethought

This alternative refers to something that was thought about or planned in advance.

FAQs

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

Use "on purpose" to indicate that an action was done intentionally and not by accident. For example, "She deleted the file "on purpose"."

What's a simple synonym for "on purpose"?

A simple synonym for "on purpose" is "deliberately", which also means doing something intentionally.

Is it better to say "on purpose" or "intentionally"?

Both "on purpose" and "intentionally" are correct, but "on purpose" is often considered more informal and conversational, while "intentionally" is more formal.

What is the opposite of "on purpose"?

The opposite of "on purpose" is "by accident" or "unintentionally". These phrases indicate that something happened without planning or intent.