it was unintentional

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was unintentional" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when someone has made a mistake or has done something by accident. For example, "I'm sorry I broke your vase; it was unintentional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was unintentional".

The New York Times

Osorio said it was unintentional.

The New York Times - Sports

It was unintentional and regrettable".

The New York Times

He said it was unintentional.

The Guardian

Google apologized; it was unintentional.

The New York Times

"It was unintentional," Raúl insisted.

The Guardian - Sport

But I couldn't stop; it was unintentional.

The Guardian

"It was unintentional on their part," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's unintentional, obviously.

Independent

There are many cases where it is unintentional.

The Guardian

If there's a clubbiness to the two-table spot, it's unintentional.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was unintentional" to clearly communicate that an action or outcome was not planned or intended, often to mitigate blame or misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unintentional" when you mean to say something was insignificant or had little impact. "Unintentional" refers to a lack of deliberate action, while "inconsequential" refers to a lack of importance. For example, don't say "The damage was unintentional" if you mean "The damage was minor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unintentional" functions as a statement or explanation, typically following an action or event to clarify that there was no deliberate intent behind it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and correct phrase for expressing a lack of intention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Sport

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was unintentional" serves as a clear and common way to communicate that an action or event occurred without any deliberate intent. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Analyzing its usage patterns shows it is most prevalent in news and media, as well as wiki articles, demonstrating its relevance across diverse contexts. Alternatives such as "it was accidental" or "it was not on purpose" offer similar meanings, while understanding common errors, such as confusing it with "inconsequential", is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was not on purpose

Directly states the absence of intention.

it was unintended

A more formal synonym for "it was unintentional".

it was accidental

Focuses on the action happening by chance rather than by design.

it was by accident

Similar to 'it was accidental', stressing the role of chance.

it was inadvertent

Highlights the lack of attention or awareness in causing the action.

it was a mistake

Emphasizes the error in the action, regardless of intent.

it was unwitting

Implies that the person was not aware of the consequences of their actions.

it was a slip-up

Suggests a minor, often unintentional, error.

it happened by chance

Shifts focus to the unplanned nature of the event.

it was uncalculated

Suggests the action occurred without prior planning or calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "it was unintentional" in a sentence?

You can use "it was unintentional" to explain that an action wasn't planned or meant to happen. For example, "I apologize for the error; "it was unintentional"".

What can I say instead of "it was unintentional"?

You can use alternatives like "it was accidental", "it was a mistake", or "it was not on purpose" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it was unintentional"?

Use "it was unintentional" when you want to convey that an action or event occurred without deliberate planning or intent. It's often used in situations where an apology or explanation is needed.

Is "it was unintentional" the same as "it was unavoidable"?

No, "it was unintentional" means something happened without intent, while "it was unavoidable" means something couldn't be prevented, regardless of intent. While an action might be both unintentional and unavoidable, the phrases highlight different aspects of the event.