was on purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was on purpose" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was done intentionally. For example: "The way he worded his statement was on purpose, in order to deceive the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

During an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Tuesday, Cruz accused the press of purposely fanning the flames of the controversy (OK, that one was on purpose), making him out to be some sort of villainous monster.

Huffington Post

That one was on purpose.

The New Yorker

"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

That was on purpose".

The New Yorker

This was on purpose.

The New York Times

"That was on purpose," Zumthor told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Quiet confidence people are on-purpose people.

Huffington Post

The silences are on purpose.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was on purpose" to clearly indicate that an action or event was intentional, leaving no room for misinterpretation. For example, "The delay in the announcement was on purpose to create suspense."

Common error

Avoid using "was on purpose" when a more specific word like "intentional", "deliberate", or "calculated" would better convey the exact shade of meaning. "Was on purpose" is versatile, but precision enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was on purpose" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject and indicating that an action or event was carried out intentionally. Ludwig examples show it is frequently used to clarify that something wasn't accidental.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was on purpose" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something was done intentionally. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily news and media outlets. While versatile, remember that choosing a more specific term like ""was intentional"" or "was deliberate" can enhance clarity in certain contexts. Whether discussing sports, politics, or design, "was on purpose" is a reliable phrase to clarify motives and intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intentional

Focuses directly on the intention behind an action, emphasizing a conscious decision.

was deliberate

Highlights the careful consideration and planning involved in the action.

was by design

Suggests that something was planned and created with a specific intention.

was calculated

Implies a strategic and potentially self-serving intention behind the action.

was planned

Emphasizes the предварительное arrangement and organization of the action.

was prearranged

Indicates a prior agreement or understanding that the action would occur.

was premeditated

Suggests a careful consideration and planning of an action, often with negative connotations.

was willful

Highlights the stubborn or determined nature of the intentional action.

was designed to

Highlights the specific purpose that the thing was intended for.

was meant to

Focuses on the intended outcome or result of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "was on purpose" to indicate that something was done intentionally and not by accident. For example, "The error in the report "was intentional" to mislead investors".

What's a good alternative to saying "was on purpose"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""was intentional"", "was deliberate", or "was by design" to convey the same meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is "was on purpose" formal or informal language?

"Was on purpose" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, a more precise term like "was premeditated" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "was on purpose" and "happened by accident"?

"Was on purpose" implies intentionality and a conscious decision to act, whereas "happened by accident" indicates an unintentional occurrence. "The mistake "was on purpose" to test the system" versus "The mistake happened by accident due to a software glitch".