a simple accident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple accident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that occurred by chance and is not complicated or serious in nature. Example: "The spilled coffee was just a simple accident, nothing to worry about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

It began with a simple accident when Kristy, waking in an unfamiliar bed, wet himself.

The Guardian

How much of our anti-seagull feeling is a simple accident of their largeness?

The Guardian

They added: "We absolutely do not believe that Mark committed suicide, or that his death was a simple accident".

The Guardian

It was impossible to determine from the images whether the explosion had been a simple accident or an act of sabotage.

The New York Times

I wish the family of the victim comfort during this difficult time, but to dismiss this as a simple accident leaves open the potential for many more such "accidents" to occur.

The New York Times

The car crash that killed Diana, the Princess of Wales, was never a simple accident to the conspiracy theorists it inspired, with their tales of secret plots and shadowy schemes at the highest levels of the British establishment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Elaborate design, engineering, and programming of the "fail-safe" variety was meant to minimize the chance that a computer failure or some simple accident would set off a major catastrophe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Simple accident or symbol of a White House culture of secrecy?

The New York Times

Others maintain that this was a simple road accident.

The Guardian - Sport

In the land of litigation, an expensive lawsuit could easily arise from a simple motor accident.

The Guardian - Money

Here, we see the repercussions of what seems like a simple traffic accident reach as far as the US.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a simple accident", ensure the context clarifies that the event was unintentional and did not result in significant damage or harm. Avoid using it if the accident involves negligence or serious consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple accident" when the situation involves complexity, such as underlying causes or contributing factors that are not immediately apparent. Ensure the description accurately reflects the event's nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple accident" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing events with unintentional and non-complex characteristics. Ludwig AI explains it can describe an event that occurred by chance and is not complicated or serious in nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a simple accident" is a common expression used to describe an unintentional event that lacks complexity or significant consequences. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English to describe an event that occurred by chance and is not complicated or serious in nature. It is frequently found in news articles, Wikipedia entries, and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral register and broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the accident's unintentional nature and minimal impact to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives include "a minor incident" or "a trivial mishap".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor incident

Replaces "accident" with "incident" and "simple" with "minor", suggesting a less severe event.

a trivial mishap

Substitutes "accident" with "mishap" and "simple" with "trivial", indicating a slight or insignificant occurrence.

a mere slip-up

Replaces the whole phrase with a more casual term for a small mistake or accident.

an inconsequential event

Uses more formal language to describe an accident that has minimal impact or importance.

a slight mischance

Replaces "accident" with "mischance" and "simple" with "slight", suggesting a small piece of bad luck.

an unintentional blunder

Replaces "accident" with "blunder" which implies fault, but keeps "unintentional" to maintain the accidental nature.

a harmless collision

Specifically applies to collisions, emphasizing the lack of harm or serious consequences.

a forgivable mistake

Highlights that the accident can be excused and is not a serious offense.

a light collision

Similar to "harmless collision" but shorter and more direct, focusing on a physical impact that is not severe.

an ordinary occurrence

Downplays the significance of the accident by labeling it as a routine or normal event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a simple accident" to describe an unintentional event that lacks complexity or serious consequences. For example, "The spilled coffee was "a simple accident", nothing to worry about."

What phrases are similar to "a simple accident"?

Alternatives include "a minor incident", "a trivial mishap", or "a mere slip-up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a car crash as "a simple accident"?

It depends on the severity. If it's a minor fender bender with no injuries, ""a simple accident"" might be appropriate. However, if there are injuries or significant damage, it's best to avoid this phrasing.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a simple accident"?

Avoid using ""a simple accident"" when the event involves negligence, serious consequences, or unresolved questions about causation. In such cases, a more neutral or descriptive term is preferable.