by mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

"by mistake" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that was done unintentionally or unintentionally wrong. For example: "I sent the wrong file to my boss by mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By mistake.

The Washington Post

Totally by mistake.

The New York Times

It started almost by mistake.

Independent

This is not by mistake.

The New York Times

Probably by mistake.

The Guardian

Bought by mistake.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes they shoot them down by mistake.

The New York Times

"I was born in Ohio by mistake".

The New York Times

stock, but, by mistake, they bought some.

The New Yorker

Inadvertently having multiple Christmas dinners by mistake!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He then inspected the band by mistake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by mistake" to clearly indicate that an action was unintentional, helping to avoid misunderstandings about intent.

Common error

Avoid using "by mistake" when the action was deliberate, as this creates a contradiction and undermines your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by mistake" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action was performed. It specifies that the action was unintentional. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by mistake" is a commonly used phrase that serves to indicate that an action was performed unintentionally. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its function is to modify verbs, clarifying the manner in which an action occurred. It maintains a neutral register, appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media, as evidenced by the numerous examples from sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC. When aiming for alternatives, consider phrases like "accidentally" or "unintentionally" to convey the same meaning. When using "by mistake", ensure it accurately reflects the lack of intention to maintain clarity and credibility in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by accident

Similar in meaning, but uses a different preposition.

unintentionally

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the action.

accidentally

Highlights the accidental nature of the event.

inadvertently

Emphasizes the lack of awareness during the action.

in error

Formally acknowledges that a mistake has been done.

unwittingly

Suggests a lack of knowledge or consciousness.

without meaning to

Directly states the absence of intention.

erroneously

Highlights the incorrectness or falsity of the action.

not on purpose

Informally emphasizes that the action was not intentional.

through an oversight

Indicates that the action occurred due to a failure to notice something.

FAQs

How to use "by mistake" in a sentence?

Use "by mistake" to indicate that an action was done unintentionally, for example: "I deleted the file "by mistake"".

What can I say instead of "by mistake"?

You can use alternatives like "accidentally", "unintentionally", or "inadvertently" depending on the context.

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

"By mistake" is the correct phrase. "On mistake" is not grammatically correct.

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

"By mistake" and "by accident" are often interchangeable, both indicating an unintentional action. However, "by mistake" might emphasize an error in judgment or action, while "by accident" emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event.