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Prepositions with purpose

For purpose, of purpose, or on purpose?

On purpose is the standard expression meaning intentionally. For purpose and of purpose are not standard on their own.

Quick answer

Which form should you use?

Use on purpose to mean intentionally. Use for the purpose of before a noun or -ing form to explain an aim. The combinations for purpose and of purpose are not idiomatic by themselves.

She broke the vase on purpose.
The meeting was arranged for the purpose of discussing safety.
He did not ignore you on purpose.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on purpose

Showing intentional action

On purpose means deliberately or intentionally.

I left early on purpose to avoid traffic.
They changed the schedule on purpose.
2
for the purpose of + noun/-ing

Explaining an aim or function

This formal pattern introduces the reason for an action.

The funds were collected for the purpose of rebuilding the library.
The room is used for the purpose of training new staff.
3
purpose of + noun

Describing the aim of something

Use purpose of to identify a goal or function.

The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback.
We discussed the purpose of the policy at the meeting.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on purpose
She ignored the email on purpose.
Standard expression meaning intentionally.
for purpose
The tool was designed for purpose.
Not standard without a determiner such as for the purpose of.
of purpose
His comment was of purpose.
Not idiomatic in current English.
for the purpose of
The trip was planned for the purpose of research.
Formal expression introducing an aim.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Leaving out the article

For purpose is incomplete in standard English.

✕ The document was created for purpose of review. ✓ The document was created for the purpose of review.

Using of purpose for intentional actions

Use on purpose when you mean deliberately.

✕ She spilled the drink of purpose. ✓ She spilled the drink on purpose.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. He deleted the file ___ purpose.
2. The committee met for the purpose ___ improving safety.
3. Which sentence is standard English?

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Frequently asked questions

Is on purpose informal?

No. It is standard in both spoken and written English.

Can I say for purpose in business writing?

Normally no. Use for the purpose of or for purposes such as training purposes.

What is the difference between purpose of and on purpose?

Purpose of describes an aim, while on purpose describes an intentional action.

for, admission, of, admission "for adoption", "of adoption" or "to adoption"? "for answer" or "of answer"? "for approval" or "of approval"? for, at, after, to or before lunch? "for breakfast" or "after breakfast"? "for collection" or "of collection"? "for dad" or "with dad"? for, during, in, of or with period? "for enforcement" or "of enforcement"? "for examination" or "of examination"? "for generation" or "of generation"?

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