not intentionally

USAGE SUMMARY

'not intentionally' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something was done unintentionally or without knowing it would cause harm. For example: "I'm sorry for being late; it was not intentionally done to be disrespectful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not intentionally.

Independent

Or at least not intentionally.

The New York Times

Not intentionally, anyway.

The New York Times - Books

Not intentionally but still..

The Guardian

Sheila: Not intentionally.

The Guardian - Books

But not intentionally.

The New York Times

"Israel did not intentionally harm civilians.

The New York Times

Of course not, not intentionally, anyhow.

The New York Times - Arts

This was not intentionally funny or ironical.

Independent

Do not intentionally expose badges to radiation.

Princeton University

"UPS did not intentionally discriminate," Ross said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not intentionally" to clearly convey that an action or outcome was unplanned or unintended, especially when clarifying potential misunderstandings or mitigating blame.

Common error

Avoid using "not intentionally" as a blanket justification for actions that may have caused harm or offense. Acknowledge the impact of your actions, even if they were unintentional, and take responsibility for rectifying any negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not intentionally" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the manner in which an action was performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the lack of intent behind an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not intentionally" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to express the lack of deliberate intent behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. As evidenced by the examples, it appears frequently in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, holding a neutral register suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, be mindful of its limitations; while it clarifies the absence of intent, it doesn't absolve responsibility. Alternatives like "unintentionally" or "inadvertently" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintentionally

Single-word synonym that directly replaces the phrase.

inadvertently

Implies a lack of attention or awareness leading to the action.

unwittingly

Suggests a lack of knowledge or awareness of the consequences.

accidentally

Highlights the unplanned and chance nature of the event.

without meaning to

Expresses the absence of intent or purpose behind the action.

by mistake

Emphasizes the error or fault in the action.

without realizing

Focuses on the lack of awareness or understanding at the time of the action.

not on purpose

A more informal way of saying something was not intentional.

without intent

Highlights the absence of a specific goal or aim.

by accident

Similar to "accidentally", emphasizing the chance nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "not intentionally" in a sentence?

You can use "not intentionally" to clarify that an action was unintentional. For example, "I may have offended you, but it was "not intentionally"."

What phrases are similar to "not intentionally"?

Alternatives include "unintentionally", "inadvertently", or "accidentally", each carrying slight differences in nuance.

Is it always appropriate to use "not intentionally"?

While grammatically correct, using "not intentionally" might not always suffice. Consider the context and whether expressing remorse or taking responsibility would be more appropriate, even if the action was "not intentionally" malicious.

What's the difference between "not intentionally" and "without realizing"?

"Not intentionally" emphasizes the lack of a deliberate plan, while "without realizing" highlights a lack of awareness. For example, "I deleted the file "not intentionally"" suggests it wasn't meant to be deleted, whereas "I deleted the file without realizing" means you didn't know you were doing it.