done by mistake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done by mistake" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an action or task that was not intentional or deliberate, but rather accidental or unintentional. Example: "The email was sent to the wrong recipient by mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Maybe it was done by mistake".

The New York Times

"It seems to have been done by mistake," he said, warning users to reconsider downloading the game until the problem has been fixed.

The Guardian - Tech

Google has apologised for collecting the data, which it said had been done by mistake.

BBC

"That was done by mistake," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Was this done by mistake?

Huffington Post

Ironically, my life-saving PSA blood test was done by mistake.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When he did, by mistake – "No, we do not want an in/out referendum" – his words had to be clarified by, among others, Ed Balls today: "I'm not saying no to a referendum at all".

Independent

You have to click on the "To" or "CC" links to expose it, something many people might only do by mistake the first time (which is why I'm telling you).

TechCrunch

As I pointed out in a recent post, online privacy and security is a shared responsibility and that we're vulnerable to what networks do by mistake or a result of a hack, what they deliberately do to monetize our data and how we sometimes jeopardize our own privacy and security by what we share.

Huffington Post

If you do by mistake, admit it or everybody will hate you, not want to play, and then go play your Rockband game.

WikiHow

Mr Kaczynski actually wanted to make a pleasant observation that it was a surprisingly small room for somewhere so important.Poles who understand the damage done by such mistakes are gloomy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "done by mistake" to clearly indicate that an action was unintentional, avoiding ambiguity about whether it was deliberate or accidental.

Common error

Avoid using "done by mistake" when you actually mean 'on purpose' or 'intentionally'. The phrase implies a lack of intent, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done 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 examples of its usage in various contexts to emphasize the accidental nature of the event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "done by mistake" is a common adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action was performed unintentionally or accidentally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While suitable for general use, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the lack of intent and is not confused with deliberate actions. Alternatives like "accidentally done" or "unintentionally done" can offer subtle nuances in meaning. Remember that clear and precise language helps ensure your message is accurately understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakenly done

Similar to 'done by mistake' but puts more emphasis on the misjudgment that led to the action.

by accident

A shorter alternative, focusing on the accidental nature.

accidentally done

Focuses on the accidental nature of the action, omitting the agency.

unintentionally done

Highlights the lack of intent behind the action.

without meaning to

Emphasizes the absence of intention or purpose.

inadvertently done

Emphasizes the carelessness or lack of attention that led to the action.

erroneously done

Focuses on the incorrectness or error in the action.

unwittingly done

Highlights the lack of awareness or knowledge when the action occurred.

incidentally done

Indicates that the action was a secondary or unintended consequence.

unconsciously done

Suggests the action was performed without conscious awareness.

FAQs

What does "done by mistake" mean?

The phrase "done by mistake" means that something was done unintentionally or accidentally, without prior planning or deliberate action.

How can I use "done by mistake" in a sentence?

You can use "done by mistake" to describe an action that occurred unintentionally, such as, "The email was sent to the wrong person "by mistake"."

What's the difference between "done by mistake" and "done accidentally"?

"Done by mistake" and "done accidentally" are very similar. "Done accidentally" emphasizes the accidental nature, while "done by mistake" highlights the error leading to the action.

What are some alternatives to "done by mistake"?

Alternatives include "accidentally done", "unintentionally done", or "inadvertently done", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.