Purposely vs Purposefully
What’s the difference between them?
Purposely
Meaning:
Intentionally; on purpose.
Examples:
1. She purposely arrived early for the meeting to ensure she had time to review her presentation.
2. He spoke slowly and purposely to make sure his instructions were clear to the team.
3. The chef purposely added a hint of spice to the dish to enhance its flavor.
Purposefully
Meaning:
Purposefully means to do something with intention and in a premeditated way.
Examples:
1. The athlete purposefully trained for months to prepare for the upcoming marathon.
2. The teacher purposefully designed the lesson plan to address the specific needs of her students.
3. She purposefully set aside time each day for meditation to promote mindfulness and relaxation.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Purposely
1. Intentionally
2. Deliberately
3. By design
4. On purpose
5. Premeditatedly
1. Accidentally
2. Unintentionally
3. Unwittingly
4. Spontaneously
5. Indiscriminately
Purposefully
1. Deliberately
2. Willfully
3. Calculatedly
4. Preplanned
1. Accidentally
2. Unintentionally
3. Aimlessly
4. Indiscriminately
5. Without forethought
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Purposely", "Purposefully".
1. Never use the words 'purposely' or 'purposefully' interchangeably.
2. Remember that 'purposely' means to do something intentionally, on purpose, or deliberately, while 'purposefully' means to do something with intention and in a premeditated way.
3. Pay attention to the context of the sentence to help you recall the correct word.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the word 'purposely' be used?
Purposely should be used when you want to express that something was done intentionally and on purpose. For example, 'I purposely turned off the lights in the room'.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'purposefully'?
The word purposefully should be used to indicate that something was done intentionally and in a premeditated way. For example, 'She purposefully avoided answering the question'.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, purposely is pronounced /pəˈpɔːrsli/, while purposefully is pronounced /pəˈpɔːrsfuli/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make is using these words interchangeably. While their meanings are similar, purposely has a stronger emphasis on intentionality, while purposefully implies that the action was done with a specific goal in mind. Another mistake is not pronouncing the words correctly.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She walked ________ into the room, her head held high. Purposely, Purposefully
2. We created a plan ________ to achieve our desired result. Intentionally, Purposefully
3. He completed his duties ________, never forgetting anything. Intentionally, Purposefully
4. She spoke ________, ensuring her point was made. Intentionally, Purposefully
5. He acted ________, hoping to provoke a reaction. Purposely, Purposefully
6. She chose her words ________ to make an impact. Intentionally, Purposefully
1. She walked purposefully into the room, her head held high
Explanation: The word purposefully implies that she walked into the room with the intention to make an impact, which is supported by the further detail of her head being held high.
2. We created a plan purposely to achieve our desired result
Explanation: The word purposely implies that the plan was created with the intention to achieve their desired result.
3. He completed his duties purposefully, never forgetting anything
Explanation: The word purposefully implies that he completed his duties with the intention of not forgetting anything.
4. She spoke purposely, ensuring her point was made
Explanation: The word purposely implies that she spoke with the intention to make sure her point was understood.
5. He acted purposefully, hoping to provoke a reaction
Explanation: The word purposefully implies that he acted with the intention to provoke a reaction.
6. She chose her words purposefully to make an impact
Explanation: The word purposefully implies that she chose her words with the intention of making an impression.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.