by accident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by accident' is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use it when referring to an event or situation that happens unintentionally or unexpectedly. For example: I stumbled across the antique shop by accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's BY accident.

Huffington Post

By accident really.

The Guardian

Not by accident.

The New York Times

Living by accident,.

The New Yorker

It wasn't by accident".

The New York Times

Completely by accident, though.

Independent

I found him by accident.

The New York Times

It is not by accident.

The New York Times - Sports

It didn't happen by accident.

The Economist

That is not by accident.

The New York Times

Ohno stumbled in by accident.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by accident" to clearly convey that an event occurred unintentionally. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "on accident", as it is generally considered incorrect. The correct and accepted phrase is "by accident".

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "by accident" functions to modify a verb or clause, indicating that an action or event occurred unintentionally or without planning. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing unplanned discoveries or unintended actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by accident" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates an unintentional occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "on accident" is a common error, sticking to "by accident" ensures clarity and correctness. Consider alternatives like "unintentionally" or "by chance" to add nuance to your writing. Remembering these tips will help you use "by accident" effectively and avoid common mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by chance

Similar to "by accident", emphasizes the role of randomness.

unintentionally

Focuses on the lack of intention behind the action.

inadvertently

Highlights that the action happened without realizing it.

unwittingly

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or knowledge.

coincidentally

Focuses on the occurrence of events at the same time by chance.

fortuitously

Stresses the lucky or fortunate aspect of the accidental event.

in error

Highlights that the action was caused by a mistake.

mistakenly

Indicates the action resulted from an error or misunderstanding.

incidentally

Highlights that the event happened as a secondary or minor occurrence.

by a fluke

Emphasizes the unusual and improbable nature of the accidental event.

FAQs

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

You can use "by accident" to describe an action that was not planned or intended. For instance, "I deleted the file "by accident"" or "She discovered the hidden room "by accident"".

What's the difference between "by accident" and "by chance"?

While both phrases indicate an unplanned event, "by accident" often implies a lack of intention or a mistake, whereas "by chance" simply suggests that something happened unexpectedly without assigning blame or intention.

Which is correct, "on accident" or "by accident"?

"By accident" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "On accident" is considered nonstandard and should be avoided.

What can I say instead of "by accident"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unintentionally", "inadvertently", or "mistakenly".