a plain accident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plain accident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that occurred without intention or design, emphasizing its simplicity or lack of complexity. Example: "The broken vase was just a plain accident; no one meant to knock it over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether by marketing stratagem or plain accident, a week's worth of video releases usually reflects what is playing in movie theaters.

The New York Times

In fact, it's not reasonable to criticize economists for failing to get the year of the crisis right, or any of the specifics of how it played out, all of which probably depended on detailed contingencies and just plain accident.

The New York Times

A series of leaked documents, tapped phone calls and sometimes plain accidents have exposed enough instances of shenanigans and mischief to shake the faith of even the most hard-core secularist.

The Economist

A cascade of events, some the work of natural selection, some just plain accidents, propelled the human lineage far from the destiny of being just another ape, down an unexpected evolutionary path to become perhaps the strangest blossom on the ample tree of life.

The New York Times - Science

Dr. Hardin had been married to a plain woman who was killed in an auto accident, when he was middle-aged.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, May 29 , 1948P. 21 Dr. Hardin had been married to a plain woman who was killed in an auto accident, when he was middle-aged.

The New Yorker

It occupies a plain storefront on a sleepy block; you will not be visiting it by accident.

Los Angeles Times

Immediately after the accident, Adam Air repainted the aircraft, covering the original orange livery with a plain white exterior.

Wikipedia

"A plain pine box.

The New York Times

A plain chronology seems manageable.

The New Yorker

A plain brick building.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a plain accident" to clearly convey that an event was unintentional and without complicated circumstances. It avoids implying negligence or malice.

Common error

Avoid using "a plain accident" when you need to emphasize the severity of an accident, even if it appears simple. Using "serious accident" or "severe incident" would be more suitable in such cases.

Linguistic Context

A plain accident functions as a noun phrase, where "plain" modifies "accident". It serves to describe the nature of the accident, emphasizing its simplicity or lack of complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plain accident" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe an event that occurred unintentionally and without complicated circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity. Although it is relatively infrequent, it is found across several sources including news, media, and wiki platforms. Its function is to communicate the simple and uncomplicated nature of an accident, avoiding any implications of malice or negligence. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its emphasis on simplicity; otherwise, consider alternative phrases that better reflect the accident's nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A simple accident

Replaces "plain" with "simple", emphasizing the lack of complexity.

A straightforward accident

Substitutes "plain" with "straightforward", highlighting the direct and uncomplicated nature of the event.

An obvious accident

Replaces "plain" with "obvious", suggesting the accident was easily apparent or predictable.

An unintentional incident

Replaces "accident" with "incident" and "plain" with "unintentional", focusing on the lack of intent.

A pure accident

Emphasizes the accidental nature with "pure", suggesting it was entirely unintentional.

A clear accident

Similar to "obvious accident", but focuses on the lack of ambiguity in its accidental nature.

A basic accident

Highlights the fundamental or uncomplicated nature of the accident.

A mere accident

Suggests the accident was insignificant or inconsequential.

A typical accident

Implies the accident was common or expected.

A regular accident

Similar to 'typical accident', suggesting a routine or usual occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a plain accident" in a sentence?

You can use "a plain accident" to describe an event that happened without intention or any complex cause. For example, "The spilled coffee was just "a plain accident"; no one intentionally knocked it over."

What are some alternatives to "a plain accident"?

Alternatives include "a simple accident", "an unintentional incident", or "a straightforward accident". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it not appropriate to use "a plain accident"?

Avoid using "a plain accident" if the accident resulted from negligence or involved significant consequences. In such cases, phrases like "a serious oversight" or "a critical failure" might be more appropriate.

Is "a plain accident" the same as "an accident"?

While both refer to an unintentional event, ""a plain accident"" emphasizes the simplicity and lack of complicating factors, whereas "an accident" is a more general term.