unintentionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unintentionally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that was done without any prior thought or intent. For example: "He unintentionally hurt her feelings when he made an insensitive joke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said the quotes in the book were 100% accurate but he may have unintentionally given the impression Keneally had a unique relationship with Obeid.

The Guardian

Currently, 6.1 million adolescent girls get unintentionally pregnant in the developing world because their need for contraception is unmet.

The Guardian

Ministers are also likely to face a need to make exemptions for the unintentionally homeless, and for asylum seekers.

The Guardian

Jonathan Wright This week, the teams have to make and market a new biscuit, which leads to many serious conversations rendered unintentionally hilarious by what they are being forced to discuss: "I've obviously got some experience with biscuits," says one potential team leader, gravely.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The home secretary, Theresa May, argues that saving lives operates – unintentionally, she acknowledges – as a "pull factor".

The Guardian - Opinion

By suggesting how women should react, you are (however unintentionally) implicating them in their own assault.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When an Israeli missile killed (unintentionally) a Qassam Brigades man in Gaza earlier this month, two Hamas spokesmen seemed publicly to disagree over how the movement should respond.Yet the more its role becomes political, goes a common argument, the more moderate Hamas will have to become: more accountable to ordinary Palestinians, readier to acknowledge their support for a two-state solution.

The Economist

All this suggests that the abortion rate is falling, not necessarily because of bombast from America's cultural warriors, but because fewer women are becoming pregnant unintentionally.

The Economist

Then, ironically and unintentionally, the Gates foundation might end up with the sort of quasi-monopoly in its field that Microsoft, the source of Mr Gates's wealth, enjoys in its.Foundation and empireWith luck, neither of those things will come to pass.

The Economist

When Rhode Island unintentionally decriminalised indoor prostitution between 2003 and 2009 the state saw a steep decline in reported rapes and cases of gonorrhoea*.Prostitution is moving online whether governments like it or not.

The Economist

It is harder for researchers to cherry-pick results unintentionally by shaping the process.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unintentionally" to clearly convey that an action or outcome was not planned or deliberate. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "unintentionally" interchangeably with adverbs like "negligently" or "recklessly". "Unintentionally" simply means without intent, while "negligently" and "recklessly" imply a degree of carelessness or disregard for potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unintentionally" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to indicate that an action or outcome occurred without deliberate intent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unintentionally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that clarifies the lack of intent behind an action or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this word, remember that it indicates a lack of intent, not necessarily a lack of care or negligence. For alternatives, consider "inadvertently" or "accidentally" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inadvertently

Focuses on the lack of attention or awareness leading to the action.

Accidentally

Highlights the chance or unintended nature of the occurrence.

Without meaning to

Emphasizes the absence of intent in causing a particular result.

Unknowingly

Stresses the lack of awareness or knowledge during the action.

Involuntarily

Suggests the action was performed without conscious control or choice.

Unwittingly

Implies a lack of understanding or perception of the consequences.

By mistake

Simplifies the explanation to a mere error or oversight.

Not by design

Directly states that the action was not part of a deliberate plan.

Fortuitously

Indicates that the action happened by chance, often with a positive outcome.

Unpremeditatedly

Highlights the lack of prior planning or forethought behind the action.

FAQs

How can I use "unintentionally" in a sentence?

You can use "unintentionally" to describe an action that was done without any prior thought or intent. For example, "He "unintentionally hurt" her feelings when he made an insensitive joke."

What can I say instead of "unintentionally"?

You can use alternatives like "inadvertently", "accidentally", or "without meaning to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unintentionally" or "intentionally"?

"Unintentionally" and "intentionally" are antonyms. "Unintentionally" means without intending to, while "intentionally" means on purpose.

What's the difference between "unintentionally" and "unknowingly"?

"Unintentionally" describes an action done without intent, while "unknowingly" implies a lack of awareness or knowledge. You might act "unintentionally" even with knowledge, but acting "unknowingly" always involves a lack of awareness.