wittingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wittingly' is a valid word in written English.
You can use it to mean to do something on purpose or intentionally. For example, "He wittingly broke the rules in order to get his way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But her greatest achievement is that she is wittingly (and wittily) levelling the playing field.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On CNN, Paul came close to saying that Clapper, the director of national intelligence, should step down after Clapper misleadingly told the Senate intelligence committee in March that the National Security Agency did "not wittingly" collect data on Americans' communications.

The Guardian

It is 1927, and Pacelli, recently appointed papal nuncio in Munich, has just presented his credentials to President Hindenburg.Mr Cornwell may not wittingly have made this mistake.

The Economist

Any re-evaluation of the anti-rightist movement or of Tiananmen, they believe, could rock the boat.Holes in the netYet both wittingly and unwittingly, the party is giving its critics more breathing space.

The Economist

Subtle discussion of such ideas is inaudible above the political rumpus that Mr Houellebecq has wrought, wittingly or otherwise.

The Economist

Most people still correctly believe that, whether wittingly or unwittingly, with the best of intentions or the worst, the government exaggerated the case for war.

The Economist

But Mr Bush, wittingly or not, had touched upon a serious point.

The Economist

Focusing on a subset of the data can, wittingly or unwittingly, provide researchers with the answer they want.

The Economist

Moreover, the quest for the best is often allied to a "conspiracy of optimism", whereby bureaucrats and contractors underestimate the likely cost of weapons, wittingly or unwittingly.

The Economist

But the fact that "this is not what they are doing" and that their real aim is to raise inflationary expectations, lower real interest rates and boost growth does not mean that their actions do not have an impact on exchange rates.Hence, either wittingly or unwittingly, there is a currency skirmish going on.

The Economist

But many still buy them wittingly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wittingly" to clearly indicate that an action was done intentionally and with full knowledge, especially when contrasting it with unintentional or accidental actions.

Common error

Avoid using "wittingly" when you mean "willingly". "Wittingly" implies knowledge and intention, while "willingly" suggests a voluntary act. For example, someone might wittingly (knowingly) break a rule, but willingly (voluntarily) accept the consequences.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "wittingly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action was performed intentionally or with full knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "wittingly" is valid and used to mean doing something on purpose. Examples on Ludwig show it modifying actions in news articles and other contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wittingly" is an adverb used to describe an action done intentionally and with full knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias and science, as well as other sources. The phrase implies a level of awareness and intention that distinguishes it from unintentional actions. While similar to words like "intentionally" and "deliberately", it's important not to confuse it with "willingly", which indicates voluntary action. Using "wittingly" can add precision and clarity to your writing, emphasizing the actor's state of mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally

This term directly implies a deliberate and purposed action, very similar to "wittingly".

deliberately

This word emphasizes a carefully considered and intentional act, akin to "wittingly".

knowingly

This suggests awareness and acknowledgement of the action being performed, close in meaning to "wittingly".

on purpose

A common phrase indicating that something was done intentionally, sharing the core meaning of "wittingly".

consciously

Highlights the awareness and intentionality behind an action, much like "wittingly".

by design

Implies a planned and intentional approach, similar to the deliberate nature of "wittingly".

purposely

This term emphasizes the goal-oriented nature of the action, aligning with the meaning of "wittingly".

with full awareness

This phrase stresses the comprehensive understanding and intentionality behind an action, akin to "wittingly".

in full knowledge

Indicates that an action was performed with complete understanding and awareness of the circumstances, similar to "wittingly".

advisedly

Suggests that an action was taken after careful consideration and with full awareness of the potential consequences, similar to "wittingly".

FAQs

How can I use "wittingly" in a sentence?

"Wittingly" is used to describe an action done intentionally or with full knowledge. For example, "He "wittingly" broke the rules knowing the consequences."

What are some alternatives to the word "wittingly"?

You can use alternatives like "intentionally", "deliberately", or "knowingly" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "wittingly" and "unwittingly"?

"Wittingly" means doing something with full knowledge and intention, whereas "unwittingly" means doing something without awareness or intention.

Is it correct to say someone "wittingly" made a mistake?

Yes, it is correct. It implies that the person was aware of the potential for error but proceeded anyway. It suggests a calculated risk or disregard for potential negative outcomes.