unintentional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unintentional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs without intention or purpose, often in contexts involving mistakes or accidents. Example: "The error in the report was unintentional, and we apologize for any confusion it may have caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, that doesn't mean unintentional, unconscious antisemitism isn't possible – journalists working against time and under pressure to deliver a Tory victory are certainly susceptible to seizing on the meanest image they can find, without thinking through what it connotes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BFI has meanwhile written: "Please note: Wild Tales is a work of fiction, and any similarities with real events is an unintentional and regrettable coincidence".

The Guardian - Film

Originally released as a benefit single for Aids research, the song's lyrics carry an unintentional pertinence for the protesters threatening to use the festival to highlight the band's alleged tax avoidance.

The Guardian - Opinion

After my brief and unintentional period of poly as a teen, I returned to serial monogamy, endeavouring to make each relationship I embarked upon the relationship, experiencing all the exciting, loved-up highs and all the weepy, heartbroken lows.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As audiences, and as historians, we can only arm ourselves with tough questions, view everything critically, and never forget the unintentional honesty in the tagline of U-571: "Nine men are about to change history".

The Guardian - Film

Not only do the tracks from new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action slot seamlessly into this exuberant canon, some of them could've been written especially for the event: Stand On The Horizon, an ode to the romance of unreachable distances, is full of North Sea references and Evil Eye even contains a knowing West Coast synth whine as an (unintentional) nod to Snoop.

The Guardian - Music

It is important to remember that Adrian never intended to harm his son and deeply regrets the unintentional injury".

The Guardian

"Unintentional child gun deaths can be prevented: if fewer gun owners left their guns loaded and unlocked, fewer children would lose their lives," the Everytown report said.

The Guardian

It prompted Christian and Muslim leaders across the world to start a series of set-piece dialogues in the hope that unintentional provocation could be avoided in future.

The Economist

Those in higher paygrades were always adamant that the data collection had been unintentional.

The Economist

This is not a weakness of the exhibition, nor is it unintentional.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing mistakes or errors, use "unintentional" to convey that the action was not deliberate. This can soften the impact of the mistake and show that there was no malice or negligence involved.

Common error

Avoid using "unintentional" when the action resulted from a lack of due care or negligence. "Unintentional" implies a lack of intent, while carelessness suggests a failure to take reasonable precautions. Choose "negligent" or "careless" if the action could have been prevented with more attention.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unintentional" primarily functions to describe a noun, indicating that the noun's actions, results, or qualities are not the product of deliberate intent. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts. For instance, an "unintentional injury" suggests that the harm caused wasn't deliberate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unintentional" is an adjective that describes something done without intention or deliberation. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. As indicated by the examples, it's commonly used in news, science, and business to describe actions or consequences that weren't planned or intended. When using "unintentional", ensure it accurately reflects the absence of intent and isn't confused with carelessness or negligence. Alternatives include "inadvertent" and "accidental". The frequency of "unintentional" in reputable sources underscores its importance in clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unintended

Directly refers to a result not planned or desired.

Inadvertent

Focuses on a lack of attention or heedfulness.

Accidental

Emphasizes the role of chance or unforeseen circumstances.

Unwitting

Highlights a lack of awareness or knowledge.

Undesigned

Stresses the absence of deliberate design or purpose.

Involuntary

Suggests a lack of conscious control or choice.

Uncalculated

Implies a lack of careful consideration or planning.

Unpremeditated

Implies a lack of prior planning or deliberation.

Fortuitous

Emphasizes a lucky or chance occurrence.

Coincidental

Highlights that the event happened by coincidence.

FAQs

How can I use "unintentional" in a sentence?

You can use "unintentional" to describe actions or outcomes that were not planned or intended. For example, "The damage to the car was unintentional" or "His comment, though hurtful, was unintentional."

What's the difference between "unintentional" and "accidental"?

"Unintentional" implies a lack of intent or purpose, while "accidental" suggests that something happened by chance or without being planned. While similar, "unintentional" focuses more on the absence of a deliberate action, and "accidental" focuses more on the chance nature of the event.

What are some alternatives to the word "unintentional"?

Some alternatives to "unintentional" include "inadvertent", "unintended", "unwitting", and "accidental". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "unintentional mistake"?

Yes, "unintentional mistake" is a common and acceptable phrase. It emphasizes that the mistake was not made deliberately. For example, "The error was an unintentional mistake due to a lack of training."