If you do something on purpose, do you do it purposely or purposefully, or either?

zbeckabee

Either or both: Purposely -- With specific purpose. Purposefully -- Having a purpose; intentional: a purposeful musician. Having or manifesting purpose; determined: entered the room with a purposeful look. http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/46459/purposely http://www.ask.com/reference/dictionary/ahdict/137780/purposefully Nov 09 07, 9:03 AM

Baloo55th

To me, purposely implies more of a past doing, while purposefully implies more a future intent or a method of doing. In the UK at least, purposely isn't used in speech - 'on purpose' replaces it. Purposefully can be 'with an obvious intent of doing', or 'doing something with an air oforganisation'. Nov 09 07, 2:35 PM

Zap_Rowsdower

"Acts done “purposely” are intentional, or done "on purpose." What is done “purposefully” is done with a certain goal in mind. An action may be done purposely without any particular interest in a specific result - that is, not purposefully. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003)" I would just use the word "intentionally" to avoid confusion. Nov 09 07, 2:47 PM

I-is-smart

Purposely is an adverb, so used to describe an action (a verb). Purposefully is an adjective, so used to describe a person, place, or thing (noun). At least that's the way I view the terms. I could be wrong, though. It's been way too long since I've been in an english class. Nov 09 07, 4:41 PM

Baloo55th

Purposefully is also an adverb; purposeful is the adjective. In most cases, -ly indicates adverb. Not all cases. Can't find my reverse aphabetical dictionary to prodece exceptions, sorry. Nov 09 07, 5:00 PM