somewhat accidental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat accidental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs by chance or is not entirely intentional. Example: "The discovery of the ancient artifact was somewhat accidental, as the archaeologists were initially searching for something else entirely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That decision was somewhat accidental.

The New York Times

"It's somewhat accidental," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Skopalik said that the Wipeout homage was somewhat accidental.

The New York Times

The environmental message was somewhat accidental, he said.

The New York Times

Although he stands to benefit from it, the situation is somewhat accidental.

The New York Times - Sports

The somewhat accidental partnership between Tisch and Mara was forged by their fathers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Given a fairly accidental kind of history, which means that there is no one characteristic that defines the place, Nîmes is somewhat less than the sum of its parts.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Bahl, a former engineer for Microsoft, is himself a somewhat of an accidental entrepreneur.

The New York Times

Though Mousavi is somewhat of an accidental figurehead for the current movement, in reality, there is no real leadership.

Huffington Post

But the kid with the can has become somewhat of an accidental YouTube star, and we're not sure State Farm covers that.

Huffington Post

"Given the opportunities that free-ranging domestic cats have to encounter infected raccoons, it is somewhat surprising that accidental transmission is not seen more often," [22].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat accidental" to add nuance when describing events where the outcome was partially unexpected, avoiding stronger terms like "completely accidental" which may not accurately reflect the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat accidental" when the event was clearly deliberate or entirely unintentional. This phrase works best when there's a genuine mix of planning and chance involved, and it's crucial to maintain accuracy in portraying the true nature of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat accidental" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective "accidental". It indicates the degree to which something is accidental, implying that it was not entirely unplanned or unintentional. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat accidental" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, softening the claim of a purely accidental event. It implies a blend of chance and intention. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and diverse usage across various reputable sources. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral register. When using "somewhat accidental", it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects the mix of planning and chance involved, avoiding overstatement or understatement of the degree of chance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partly unintentional

Emphasizes the lack of intent behind the action or event, focusing on the absence of deliberate planning.

partly unplanned

Highlights the absence of a prior plan or arrangement, suggesting a more spontaneous occurrence.

partly coincidental

Suggests the event happened due to a concurrence of circumstances, not solely by intention.

slightly inadvertent

Indicates a degree of carelessness or oversight that contributed to the occurrence.

somewhat unintended

Directly points out that the result was not the originally desired or expected outcome.

a bit fortuitous

Highlights the lucky or fortunate aspect of the event, suggesting a positive but unplanned outcome.

marginally random

Emphasizes the lack of a clear pattern or cause, indicating a degree of unpredictability.

kind of haphazard

Suggests a lack of organization or structure, leading to an unplanned outcome.

more or less spontaneous

Stresses the lack of premeditation, highlighting the impulsive nature of the action.

pretty much unforeseen

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the event, emphasizing that it was not anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat accidental" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat accidental" to describe events that were partly unplanned or coincidental. For example, "The discovery of the new species was "somewhat accidental", as the researchers were initially studying a different ecosystem".

What phrases are similar to "somewhat accidental"?

Alternatives to "somewhat accidental" include "partly unintentional", "partly unplanned", or "partly coincidental" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "somewhat accidental" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat accidental" is appropriate in formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources. However, ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning and degree of chance involved.

What's the difference between "somewhat accidental" and "completely accidental"?

"Somewhat accidental" implies a mix of intention and chance, while "completely accidental" suggests no intention whatsoever. Use "somewhat accidental" when there was some degree of influence or action that contributed to the event, distinguishing it from a purely random occurrence.