accident

USAGE SUMMARY

"accident" is an acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an unfortunate event, usually one with serious consequences, that is unintended and unplanned. Example Sentence: The accident on the highway created a long traffic jam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The New York Times

This was no accident.

The New York Times

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

The Queen is one of the world's biggest winners, though it has to be said, she only got the job through an accident of birth, and loads of other people might have been as good if they had been given the same chance.

The Guardian - Books

The accident left Zambrano-Montes feeling depressed, says Martha.

The Guardian

Her death on Saturday, which is being treated as a "tragic accident" by both Network Rail and the British Transport police, happened just a few miles down the track from where Olivia and Charlotte were killed.

The Guardian - Business

Footage taken from an emergency ministry helicopter searching for survivors showed clear and calm weather as other trawlers steamed towards the area of the accident.

The Guardian

The inspection looked at the accident and emergency department and the emergency assessment unit (EAU).

The Guardian

The Whitehall source said that the Queen's statement was no accident: "She knew exactly what she was doing.

The Guardian

If you don't make a claim, there is no guarantee that your premium won't go up if you have even a minor accident.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accident" precisely to indicate an unintentional event, differentiating it from deliberate actions.

Common error

Avoid using "incident" as a direct substitute for "accident" in situations where unintentional harm or damage is central to the meaning. An incident may simply be an occurrence, while an "accident" specifically implies unintended negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the noun "accident" is to denote an unexpected event with negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where "accident" functions as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "accident" is a very common noun used to describe an unplanned event with negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in the News & Media context. Related phrases like "incident" or "mishap" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's essential to differentiate "accident" from the general term "incident", as "accident" specifically implies unintended negative results. When using "accident", providing specific details enhances clarity, especially in formal settings. Remember, the correct form is "by "accident"", not "on "accident"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfortunate incident

Adds emphasis on the negative consequences.

incident

A more general term for an event, which may or may not be negative or unplanned.

tragic event

Implies serious or fatal consequences.

unforeseen event

Highlights the unexpected nature of the occurrence.

mishap

Suggests a minor accident or unlucky event.

chance occurrence

Focuses on the randomness and lack of intention behind the event.

disaster

Implies a sudden event that causes great damage or suffering.

collision

Specifically refers to an event where two or more things crash into each other.

calamity

Suggests a disastrous event with widespread negative effects.

casualty

Emphasizes the resulting harm or injury from an event.

FAQs

How can I use "accident" in a sentence?

You can use "accident" to describe an unexpected event that causes harm or damage. For example, "The car "accident" resulted in several injuries".

What are some synonyms for "accident"?

Synonyms for "accident" include "mishap", "incident", "collision", and "casualty". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "by accident" or "on accident"?

The correct phrase is "by "accident"". The phrase "on accident" is generally considered incorrect.

What's the difference between an "accident" and an "incident"?

An "accident" is an unplanned event that results in injury or damage, while an "incident" is a more general term for any occurrence, which may or may not be negative.