inadvertently

USAGE SUMMARY

'inadvertently' is a correct word and is used in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something was done in a careless or unintentional way. Example sentence: I inadvertently left my wallet at the restaurant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brett Pitman could not take advantage after Teddy Bishop had inadvertently put the ball in his path and that was followed by two smart saves from Bartosz Bialkowski, firstly from Ryan Fraser and then swooping to his right to deny Ritchie's 30-yarder.

The Guardian - Sport

To my horror, I realised that I was inadvertently hearing the truth about a vast conspiracy that had dogged me throughout my childhood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several hundred people had the ability to export files like the one that was inadvertently released.

The Guardian

It was the "terrorists" who were responsible for genuinely unarmed protesters being inadvertently shot by pro-Kiev forces, such as in Mariupol, he said.

The Guardian

He may not have meant the SNP but, even if inadvertently, Osborne was caught telling the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were kept abreast on progress and our surroundings with short, informative lectures from the expedition leaders, who were always tolerant of an inadvertently lolling head.

The Guardian - Travel

The Guardian can reveal an employee of the agency inadvertently sent the passport numbers, visa details and other personal identifiers of all world leaders attending the summit to the organisers of the Asian Cup football tournament.

The Guardian

The danger is that we will inadvertently cast something in a light that we don't intend to.

The Guardian

The only time Valchek appears to hold back is when Herc seeks advice after inadvertently catching Royce getting a blowjob from his secretary.

The Guardian

LG claims that the G Watch will still connect to a smartphone some 15m away, which gives quite a lot of potential for inadvertently leaving your phone behind somewhere while engrossed by something on your smartwatch.

The Guardian - Tech

He thinks this might have something to do with the rise of the internet, which the book inadvertently documents: its earliest photographs come from 1994, an era that was "a little bit more friendly, a little bit more naïve", when the internet was more discussed than used, when a feature about it in Time magazine still had to open by explaining what the web was.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inadvertently", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of intention. Avoid using it when negligence or deliberate action is implied.

Common error

Don't use "inadvertently" when someone acts against their will. "Inadvertently" signifies a lack of intention, whereas "unwillingly" indicates resistance or reluctance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inadvertently" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action was done unintentionally. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its role in specifying the manner of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inadvertently" is a grammatically correct adverb signifying an action performed without intention. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, highlights its prevalence in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "unintentionally" and "accidentally" exist, "inadvertently" often conveys a subtle lack of awareness. When using "inadvertently", ensure the context aligns with unintentionality to avoid miscommunication. Pay attention to differentiating it from similar-sounding words like "unwillingly". This adverb serves as a valuable tool to add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentionally

Emphasizes the lack of intent behind the action.

accidentally

Highlights that the action occurred by chance or mishap.

unknowingly

Focuses on the lack of knowledge or awareness during the action.

unwittingly

Similar to "unknowingly", stressing the lack of conscious awareness.

by mistake

Indicates an error or blunder led to the action.

without meaning to

Clearly expresses the absence of intention.

by accident

Synonymous with "accidentally", emphasizing the chance occurrence.

without realizing

Highlights the lack of recognition or understanding during the action.

negligently

Suggests a lack of due care or attention led to the action.

involuntarily

Indicates the action was performed without conscious control.

FAQs

How can I use "inadvertently" in a sentence?

Use "inadvertently" to describe an action done unintentionally or without realizing its consequences. For example, "I "inadvertently" deleted the file."

What's the difference between "inadvertently" and "accidentally"?

"Inadvertently" implies a lack of awareness or intention, while "accidentally" focuses on the chance or unintended nature of an event. They are often interchangeable, but "inadvertently" can suggest a more subtle lack of awareness.

What can I say instead of "inadvertently"?

You can use alternatives like "unintentionally", "unknowingly", or "unwittingly" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "inadvertently" to describe a mistake?

Yes, "inadvertently" can describe a mistake made without intention. For example, "The error was "inadvertently" introduced during the update."