had an accident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had an accident" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about an incident of a person or object being injured or damaged, as in: "She had an accident on her way home yesterday and sprained her ankle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nick had an accident!

The Washington Post

Mom had an accident.

The New York Times - Arts

"Birju has had an accident," she said.

The New Yorker

"She had an accident".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

— Emma had an accident, she said.

The New Yorker

He had not had an accident.

The New York Times

"I've never had an accident".

The New York Times - Tech

A driver has had an accident.

Columbia University

I've never had an accident, he says.

The New York Times

I'd just had an accident, that's all.

The Guardian - Sport

I know I could've had an accident.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an accident, be specific about the type and severity of the incident to provide a clear understanding of the situation.

Common error

Do not use "had an accident" as a euphemism to avoid details. If possible, provide context, such as "had a car accident" or "had a work-related accident" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had an accident" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something experienced an unintentional event resulting in harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had an accident" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an unintentional event leading to harm or damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While adaptable, it is important to ensure context by specifying event details, avoiding vague phrasing. The top sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian, which confirms the phrase's reliability and frequent occurrence in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in an accident

Focuses on the state of being involved, rather than the occurrence.

experienced an accident

Highlights the personal experience of the event.

sustained injuries

Highlights the act of receiving injuries as a result of an accident.

met with an accident

A more formal or literary way of saying "had an accident".

was involved in a crash

Specifically implies a collision, often vehicular.

suffered an injury

Emphasizes the resulting harm rather than the event itself.

came to grief

Suggests a disastrous outcome or misfortune.

had a mishap

Implies a minor accident or misfortune.

was hurt

Focuses on the physical harm caused by an unspecified event.

was impaired

Indicates a reduced ability due to an accident or injury.

FAQs

How can I use "had an accident" in a sentence?

You can use "had an accident" to describe an event where someone or something was harmed or damaged, for example, "She "had an accident" while driving to work".

What can I say instead of "had an accident"?

You can use alternatives like "was in an accident", "experienced an accident", or "met with an accident" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was in an accident" instead of "had an accident"?

Yes, "was in an accident" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative to "had an accident". Both phrases convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "had an accident" and "had a mishap"?

"Had an accident" generally refers to a more serious event resulting in harm or damage, while "had a mishap" suggests a minor accident or misfortune.