on purpose

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   In a way that is intended and planned, not by accident.

   Grammar: Comes after the verb or clause: he did it on purpose; the opposite is by accident.

   Patterns

   • do something on purpose
   • on purpose or by accident

   I'm sorry, I didn't spill the juice on purpose.

   She left her phone at home on purpose so she could relax.

   Did you break the window on purpose?

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   For the particular aim of doing or showing something.

   Grammar: Often with a to-clause: on purpose to annoy.

   Patterns

   • on purpose to do something

   He took the long way home on purpose to avoid the crowds.

   They arrived early on purpose to get good seats.

   I asked the question on purpose to see how she would react.

Common combinations

do it on purpose

Did you do it on purpose?

not on purpose

I stepped on your foot, but not on purpose.

on purpose or by accident

I could not tell if it happened on purpose or by accident.

on purpose to

She stayed late on purpose to speak to the manager.

leave on purpose

He left the door open on purpose.

Synonyms and how they differ

deliberately

Deliberately is a single formal-neutral adverb, while on purpose is more conversational.

intentionally

Intentionally is more formal and common in writing, whereas on purpose is typical in speech.

knowingly

Knowingly stresses awareness of what you are doing, while on purpose stresses intention.

wilfully

Wilfully suggests stubborn or even wrongful intention and is more formal and negative than on purpose.

Opposites

Word family

purpose noun

the reason something is done

purposeful adjective

having a clear aim

purposely adverb

deliberately

purposeless adjective

without any aim

Commonly confused: on purpose or with purpose? on purpose or for the purpose of?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “on purpose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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