On Purpose, To No Purpose, and Purposely
A purpose is a reason for doing something. English builds several fixed phrases on it, and one of them is often confused with purposefully.
A purpose is the reason something is done or made. The adverbs cause trouble: *purposely* means deliberately, while *purposefully* means with visible determination. Someone who walks purposefully into the wrong room did not do it purposely.
- A reason for doing something. *The purpose of the meeting.*
- Determination. *A sense of purpose.*
- On purpose — deliberately. *He did it on purpose.*
- To no purpose — with no result. *We argued to no purpose.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | purpose | A clear purpose. |
| Plural | purposes | For tax purposes. |
| Adverb | purposely | Purposely vague. |
| Adverb | purposefully | Walking purposefully. |
| Adjective | purposeful | A purposeful stride. |
How it is used in a sentence
- What is the purpose of this form?Reason.
- She left the door open on purpose.Deliberately.
- For all practical purposes, it is finished.A useful hedge.
Purpose phrases
- On purpose — deliberately
- For the purpose of — in order to
- To no purpose — pointlessly
- Fit for purpose — suitable for the job intended
- Purpose-built — designed for one specific use
From Old French *porpos*, from *porposer*, to intend, an alteration of Latin *proponere*, to put forward — the same verb behind *propose*.
Purposely or purposefully?
Purposely means intentionally. Purposefully means with evident determination. They are not interchangeable.
Purpose or aim?
A purpose is why something exists or is done. An aim is the result you are trying to reach.