accidentally told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accidentally told" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used when referring to an unintentional disclosure of information. Example: "She accidentally told him about the surprise party while chatting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I kept flashing back to the one time I accidentally told the Chipotle guy pinto beans instead of black beans.

The Washington Post

Power and Keane committed gaffes in the Michael Kinsley sense: they accidentally told the truth, and it's hypocrisy for each campaign to use it against the other.

The New Yorker

Keep in mind that when public figures get in trouble for something they said, it is usually not because they misspoke, but because they accidentally told the truth.

The New York Times

Mr. Stutzman later released a statement saying he had misrepresented the Republican position, which is a reliable indication that he had accidentally told the truth.

The New York Times

Cameron had good cause to mock Brown's conversion during Prime Minister's Question Time yesterday, quoting from Paddy Ashdown's diaries in which Brown is accurately portrayed as the main block to electoral reform during the 1990s (although Blair was another significant obstacle. He never believed in it and accidentally told me so in an on the record interview in the summer of 1995).

Independent

Recently, at a campaign event, Hillary Clinton short circulate -- you know this, you've heard this one -- Hillary Clinton short circuited again, to use a -- now famous term -- when she accidentally told the truth and said she wanted to raise taxes on the middle class.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Sometimes politicians accidentally tell a very big truth.

The New York Times

According to Michael Kinsley, a gaffe is when a politician accidentally tells the truth.

The New York Times

Even when he pretends to like something, he'll accidentally tell the truth, which is horrifying, obviously".

The Guardian

Romney's remarks here fit the classic ( Galbraith Kinsley) definition of a gaffe: it's when a politician accidentally tells the truth.

The New York Times

If, as Michael Kinsley famously suggested, the gaffe is what happens when a politician accidentally tells the truth, what then is the formal interview?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accidentally told", ensure the context clearly indicates the unintentional nature of the disclosure to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "accidentally told" when there's a possibility the audience might perceive the disclosure as deliberate or manipulative. Choose a more neutral term if the intention is ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accidentally told" functions as a verb phrase, where 'accidentally' modifies the verb 'told', indicating the manner in which information was conveyed. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in narrating unintended disclosures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

Academia

2%

The Guardian - Books

2%

The Guardian - Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accidentally told" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the unintentional revelation of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While maintaining a neutral register, its communicative purpose is to emphasize the unintentional nature of the disclosure. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of intent to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "inadvertently revealed" or "let slip" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accidentally disclosed

Synonymous, emphasizes the accidental nature of sharing.

inadvertently revealed

Focuses on the unintentional nature of the revelation.

unintentionally disclosed

Highlights the lack of intention behind the disclosure.

let slip

Emphasizes the casual and uncontrolled release of information.

let it slip

Suggests carelessness in revealing a secret or information.

blurted out

Suggests a sudden and unplanned verbalization.

divulged unintentionally

Highlights the accidental nature of revealing sensitive information.

inadvertently mentioned

Focuses on the casual and perhaps unimportant nature of the accidental telling.

unwittingly shared

Emphasizes the lack of awareness when sharing the information.

gave away unintentionally

Focuses on the unintentional transfer of information.

FAQs

What is an alternative to "accidentally told"?

You can use phrases like "inadvertently revealed", "unintentionally disclosed", or "let slip" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Example: "She accidentally told him about the surprise party, ruining the plan."

Is "accidentally told" grammatically correct?

Yes, "accidentally told" is grammatically correct as it uses an adverb to modify the verb "told".

What's the difference between "accidentally told" and "intentionally told"?

"Accidentally told" implies an unintentional disclosure, while "intentionally told" suggests a deliberate act of sharing information.