was not deliberate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not deliberate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action or decision was unintentional or accidental. Example: "The error in the report was not deliberate; it was simply a misunderstanding of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

That was not deliberate.

The New Yorker

"It was not deliberate that I lost the match".

Independent

"Mr Cohen merely reassures us that it was not deliberate.

Independent

I agree we misled people but it was not deliberate".

Independent

But in this instance the FSA acknowledged that Mr Einhorn's market abuse "was not deliberate".

The Economist

It was not deliberate by any means — this not the end of the show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The previous week, other jurors said Ms. Jordan was not deliberating with them in good faith.

The New York Times

It wasn't deliberate.

The New York Times

That wasn't deliberate.

The Guardian - Music

"It wasn't deliberate," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Kimmel says it wasn't deliberate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not deliberate" to clearly communicate that an action or outcome occurred without intention, especially when clarifying potential misunderstandings or accusations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "was not deliberate" without explaining why or how the action occurred. Providing additional details helps to clarify the situation and prevent further confusion or suspicion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not deliberate" functions as a qualifier or explanation, typically used to negate the implication of intent behind an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not deliberate" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to negate intentionality behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common in various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it serves to provide clarity and context. When using "was not deliberate", it's essential to provide supporting information to enhance clarity and prevent misunderstandings. Consider alternatives like "was unintentional" or "was accidental" for nuanced communication. Overall, understanding when and how to effectively employ "was not deliberate" improves the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unintentional

Focuses on the lack of intent behind the action.

was accidental

Highlights the chance or unforeseen nature of the event.

was not intended

Directly states the absence of a specific goal or plan.

was inadvertent

Emphasizes the lack of awareness or attention leading to the action.

was not purposeful

Emphasizes the lack of a specific aim or objective.

occurred by chance

Focuses on the randomness of the event.

happened unexpectedly

Highlights the surprise element of the event.

was an oversight

Points to a failure to notice or consider something important.

was a mistake

Identifies the action as an error or fault.

was a coincidence

Highlights the chance occurrence of related events.

FAQs

What does "was not deliberate" mean?

The phrase "was not deliberate" means something happened unintentionally or without conscious planning. It indicates a lack of intent behind an action or outcome.

How can I use "was not deliberate" in a sentence?

You can use "was not deliberate" to clarify that an action was unintentional, such as: "The mistake "was not deliberate"; it was a simple error."

Which is correct, "was not deliberate" or "wasn't deliberate"?

Both "was not deliberate" and "wasn't deliberate" are correct. "Wasn't" is a contraction of "was not" and is more informal. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What can I say instead of "was not deliberate"?

You can use alternatives like "was unintentional", "was accidental", or "was inadvertent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.