Meaning & use
I intentionally
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
A subject and adverb meaning the speaker did something on purpose, not by accident.
Grammar: Needs a verb after it: I intentionally did it. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Patterns
- I intentionally + verb
- I intentionally did something
I intentionally left the door unlocked so you could get in.
I intentionally arrived early to get a good seat.
I intentionally said nothing because I wanted to hear your opinion first.
Common combinations
- I intentionally did something
- I intentionally did something kind for her birthday.
- I intentionally avoided something
- I intentionally avoided the topic during dinner.
- I intentionally left something
- I intentionally left my umbrella at your place.
Synonyms and how they differ
- I deliberately
- Very close in meaning, but 'deliberately' can sound slightly more formal and calculated.
- I on purpose
- Informal and usually comes at the end: I did it on purpose.
Opposites
Word family
- intentional adjective
- Done on purpose; deliberate.
- intention noun
- A plan or aim to do something.
- intend verb
- To have something in mind as a plan or purpose.
Commonly confused: I intentionally or intently?
I intentionally vs intently
Means with great attention, as in 'listened intently'; it does not mean on purpose.
Practice
Which sentence is grammatically complete and correct?
Choose one answer.
'I intentionally' needs a main verb after it. Option 0 supplies the verb 'forgot'; the others are incomplete or use the wrong pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “I intentionally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.