Grammar and Punctuation The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Purposely, Purposefully

These words share much common ground, and they are sometimes interchangeable, but there are distinct differences. Purposely means "intentionally," but some acts are intentional, yet pointless: Little Jimmy purposely threw Alice's lunch in the mud.

Someone who does something purposefully is on a mission, with an important goal in mind: The rescue team purposefully combed the woods for the missing child.


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