What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purposeful
Example
She walked purposefully towards the door, ready to leave. [purposefully: adverb]
Example
He approached the project with a purposeful attitude, determined to succeed. [purposeful: adjective]
determined
Example
She was determined to finish the race, no matter how difficult it became. [determined: adjective]
Example
He determinedly pursued his dream of becoming a doctor, despite the many obstacles he faced. [determinedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Determined is more commonly used than purposeful in everyday language. Determined is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while purposeful is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purposeful and determined?
Both purposeful and determined are formal words that can be used in professional or academic contexts. However, determined is more commonly used in everyday language and can also be used in informal situations.
