What does this phrase mean: "on purpose"?

[shwarz]

Test No. incompl/inter-94 "Letter of Complaint", question 6

I stayed in all day on ......... as you had informed me that you could not be sure at what time of day the washing machine would arrive.

(a) intention
(b) regard
(c) purpose
(d) plan

Test No. incompl/inter-94 "Letter of Complaint", answer 6

I stayed in all day on purpose as you had informed me that you could not be sure at what time of day the washing machine would arrive.

Correct answer: (c) purpose

Your answer was: incorrect
I stayed in all day on intention as you had informed me that you could not be sure at what time of day the washing machine would arrive.
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Hi! Could you tell me exactly
what does it mean
I stayed in all day on purpose
Why do you use word Purpose
Thank you very much

[Alan]

This is a set expression and means did this for a specific reason.
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English as a Second Language
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[Mango]

I don't understand clearly about this answer. Can you explain more? thank you very much.

[Alan]

Hi Mango,

In the test sentence the letter writer says he stayed in on purpose, which means that the reason why he stayed at home was to wait for the engineer to come to repair the washing machine. 'On purpose' has the same meaning as 'intentionally'. In other words you are doing something because it is your intention to do and it is not accidental.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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