purposely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "purposely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action done intentionally or with a specific purpose in mind. Example: "She purposely left the door open to let in some fresh air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How many specialised MBAs exist is hard to define, as schools routinely offer some degree of concentration and the dividing line between a general-purpose MBA with a few sector-specific add-ons and one purposely designed around an industry is not always clear.

The Economist

The system is historically, not purposely, biased in favour of Labour.

The Guardian

Ultimately, it seems the government is willing to defend some types of extremism, but the line of acceptability is not only blurred but purposely hidden behind legal lines.

The Guardian

We purposely published the modern slavery bill in draft form for pre-legislative scrutiny so that we could listen and respond to constructive contributions and concerns.

The Guardian

He purposely tried to kill the company".

The Guardian

If a speaker purposely threatens someone, or knows that his statement "will be viewed as a threat", the court held, he could face conviction.

The Economist

But an inadvertently leaked report from America's Federal Trade Commission, which ultimately decided not to sue Google, suggests the firm has a case to answer: it says that Google purposely demoted rival sites.

The Economist

Christianity, for instance, to recur to our primary illustration, was not promulgated until the "fulness of time;" and some of the greatest of those inventions which have blessed the human race have been, as it were, purposely retarded until the world had been prepared for it.

The Economist

Did audiences at "Disclosure", for instance, not realise that the film's true purpose was to undermine Malaysia (by showing it producing dusty microchips)?Why is the West so purposely malicious?

The Economist

Along with the "match", the user can then click on what each party has said about each question and can filter according to the issues they care about".One advantage of our method is that we can push parties to clear up positions they've purposely left murky," says Andre Krouwel, who oversees the project.

The Economist

Professors I knew were also too pre-occupied with their own careers to purposely inflate their twenty-year old students' grades just so they could land a good internship at an investment bank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purposely" when you want to emphasize that an action was intentional and not accidental. It adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to use "purposely" when you mean "purposefully" in the sense of being full of purpose. "Purposely" always refers to intent, while "purposefully" can also describe something done with great determination or meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "purposely" functions to modify verbs, indicating that an action was carried out with a specific intention or aim. It clarifies the manner in which the action was performed, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

37%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "purposely" is used to indicate that an action was done intentionally and not by accident. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in various contexts such as news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, it's best to use "purposely" to clearly convey intent, while avoiding confusion with the word "purposefully". Related phrases such as "intentionally" and "deliberately" can be used as alternatives. Given its common occurrence and clear meaning, "purposely" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purposefully

A direct synonym, interchangeable with "purposely" but perhaps slightly less common.

intentionally

Indicates a deliberate action, synonymous with "purposely" but may carry a slightly more formal tone.

deliberately

Similar to "purposely", emphasizing a careful and premeditated action.

on purpose

An informal equivalent of "purposely", directly stating the action was not accidental.

by design

Implies that something was planned or arranged with a specific intention, similar to "purposely".

advisedly

Suggests that an action was taken after careful consideration and with a specific aim.

designedly

Highlights that something was created or done with a particular objective in mind.

willfully

Indicates a stubborn or determined intention, often used when the action is against rules or advice.

consciously

Emphasizes awareness and intention in performing an action.

with intent

Focuses on the mental state of intending to achieve a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "purposely" in a sentence?

You can use "purposely" to indicate that an action was done intentionally. For example, "She "purposely" left the door open" means she intended to leave the door open.

What's a good alternative to "purposely"?

Alternatives to "purposely" include "intentionally", "deliberately", or "on purpose", which all convey a similar meaning of doing something with intent.

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

While similar, "purposely" means 'with a specific intention', whereas "purposefully" can also mean 'in a way that shows determination or resolve'. Thus, the context dictates which one is more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "purposely" in formal writing?

"Purposely" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly state that an action was intentional and not accidental or inadvertent. It adds a level of precision that might be needed in legal, academic, or business contexts.