I accidentally took

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I accidentally took" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you unintentionally took something, whether it be an object, a medication, or an action. Example: "I accidentally took the wrong bus and ended up far from my destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I accidentally took her medal with me.

The Guardian - Sport

"So I accidentally took a guy's seat!" he said in between sobs.

The New Yorker

Clicking buttons, I accidentally took off my avatar's hot pants, and then quickly put them back on.

Vice

Stressing about being fined because I accidentally took my girlfriend's empty Myki by mistake but still need to catch the tram to work.

Vice

All wiggly on your feet right now, fuckin' you up…[To me] I accidentally took six hits of acid at the Block Party, but I performed anyway.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My favorite pictures of my little girls are when I accidentally take one of them laughing together in between the "say cheese!" photographs I was trying for.

Huffington Post

When I woke up this morning, I looked at what I wrote and wondered if I'd accidentally taken an illegal drug.

Huffington Post

The only one I revealed to Baba was that I had accidentally taken an extra birth-control pill.

The New Yorker

I am a Korean War veteran, and I remember accidentally taking my tank in the wrong direction, to everyone's surprise, including the Chinese.

The New York Times

The person whose luggage I had accidentally taken had written me an email as my business card was in my suitcase.

BBC

For less high-minded reasons, I also loved the scene in which dimwitted sexpot Shannon Sarah Barrandd) accidentally took her clothes off in order to meet a new boyfriend's mother.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I accidentally took", ensure the context clearly indicates the unintentional nature of the action to avoid misunderstandings. For instance, provide a brief explanation of how the accident occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "I accidentally took" without clarifying what exactly was taken or the context of the situation. Simply stating "I accidentally took" can create confusion or suspicion; provide immediate context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I accidentally took" functions as a statement expressing an unintentional action. The use of the adverb "accidentally" modifies the verb "took", indicating that the action was not deliberate. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used to describe unintentional actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I accidentally took" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an unintentional act of taking something. Ludwig's analysis shows that it is used in news and media to convey a lack of intent, often in explanations or justifications. While acceptable in various contexts, providing immediate clarity of the 'what' and 'how' can prevent miscommunication. Alternative phrases like "I inadvertently grabbed" or "I took it by mistake" can offer variations in tone or formality. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage and provides helpful examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I took it by mistake

A more succinct way of conveying accidental taking.

I didn't mean to take

Expresses the lack of intention directly, using a slightly different sentence structure.

I inadvertently grabbed

Replaces "took" with "grabbed" and "accidentally" with "inadvertently", emphasizing the unintentional nature of the action.

I mistakenly picked up

Replaces "took" with "picked up" and "accidentally" with "mistakenly", highlighting the error in selection.

I unknowingly took

Substitutes "accidentally" with "unknowingly", stressing the lack of knowledge or awareness.

I unintentionally acquired

Uses "acquired" instead of "took" and "unintentionally" instead of "accidentally", providing a more formal tone.

I took it without realizing

Focuses on the lack of awareness at the time of taking.

By accident, I ended up taking

Uses "by accident" to emphasize the unplanned nature of taking something.

It was a mistake, I took

Highlights that the action was a mistake using a different sentence structure.

It happened that I took

This focuses on the event of taking something being circumstantial and not premeditated.

FAQs

How can I use "I accidentally took" in a sentence?

Use "I accidentally took" to describe an unintentional action of taking something. For example, "I accidentally took the wrong umbrella from the restaurant" or "I accidentally took an extra pill this morning".

What's a less formal way to say "I accidentally took"?

In a less formal setting, you could say "I didn't mean to take" or "I grabbed it by mistake".

Which is correct: "I accidentally took" or "I took accidentally"?

"I accidentally took" is the correct word order. Adverbs of manner like "accidentally" usually go before the main verb. "I took accidentally" is less common and can sound awkward.

What can I say instead of "I accidentally took" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I inadvertently grabbed" or "I unintentionally acquired" depending on the specific context.