Difference between revisions of "On purpose - purposely - purposeful"
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PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) (New page: Someone's '''purpose''' is, according to ''OED'' (at moaning '''1. a.''': "That which a person sets out to do or attain; an object in view; a determined intention or aim." In other wor...) |
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| − | Someone's '''purpose''' is, according to ''[[OED]]'' (at | + | Someone's '''purpose''' is, according to ''[[OED]]'' (at meaning '''1. a.'''): "That which a person sets out to do or attain; an object in view; a determined intention or aim." In other words, one's '''purpose''' is one's motive, or intention. When one does something with the intention of achieving a particular effect, one has acted '''on purpose'''. A child will be more severely admonished if it has hurt a sibling '''on purpose''', rather than accidentally. |
*The single [[adverb]] that carries the meaning of this [[adverbial phrase]] is '''purposely'''. ''[[OED]]'' defines this as "'''On purpose''', by design; intentionally, deliberately" (AWE's emboldening). | *The single [[adverb]] that carries the meaning of this [[adverbial phrase]] is '''purposely'''. ''[[OED]]'' defines this as "'''On purpose''', by design; intentionally, deliberately" (AWE's emboldening). | ||
Latest revision as of 19:58, 3 August 2009
Someone's purpose is, according to OED (at meaning 1. a.): "That which a person sets out to do or attain; an object in view; a determined intention or aim." In other words, one's purpose is one's motive, or intention. When one does something with the intention of achieving a particular effect, one has acted on purpose. A child will be more severely admonished if it has hurt a sibling on purpose, rather than accidentally.
- The single adverb that carries the meaning of this adverbial phrase is purposely. OED defines this as "On purpose, by design; intentionally, deliberately" (AWE's emboldening).
This should not be confused with the adverb purposefully, nor the adjective purposeful.
- Purposefully is an adverb of manner - that is, it describes how an actor acts, "In a purposeful manner'.
- Purposeful is defined in two ways by OED:
- 1. Having a purpose or meaning; indicating or evincing purpose or plan; designed, intentional.
- 2. Having a definite purpose in mind; resolute.
So purposeful shows what someone looks like, the impression s/he gives of being determined, and set upon a particular goal. Purposely has less to do with impressions and appearances, but about doing something deliberately.
