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Gene93 Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

purpose(ly)/deliberate(ly)/intentiona(lly)

Hello,
Would all of them work in: "Police believe that the fire was started deliberately/intentionally/purposely" and "I am sorry, but I didn't do it intentionally/purposely/deliberately" ?

I am not sure if "purposely" fits the first sentence.
  

Top answer

" Usually, the word "deliberately" is used for the example of the fire. Police believe that the fire was started deliberately. I'm sorry, but I didn't do it on purpose.

— Englishmaven

  • " Usually, the word "deliberately" is used for the example of the fire.
  • Police believe that the fire was started deliberately.
  • I'm sorry, but I didn't do it on purpose.
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5 Answers
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We often y "on purpose" for "purposely."

Usually, the word "deliberately" is used for the example of the fire. Police believe that the fire was started deliberately. I'm sorry, but I didn't do it on purpose.
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The words are fairly interchangeable.
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I would use "on purpose" too. Would "purposely" sound odd, though? Also, can't one start a fire on purpose/purposely/intentionally? I am asking out of curiosity.
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I meant to say we usually use "on purpose" for "purposely," but I had a typo.
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I may be wrong, but I can't see significant differences in meaning. They all mean "on purpose" to me. I agree that "on purpose" is more common than "purposely". One last question about a different sentence.
- You make it sound as if I did it purposely/deliberately/intentionally. Would intentionally and purposely work here? I think "deliberately'' fits in neatly.

Thank you, Englishmave
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