By Accident vs On Accident
Difference, Examples & Quiz
What's the difference? Which one is correct?
Definition: By Accident is an idiomatic expression that means something happened unintentionally or without planning.
Usage: It is commonly used to describe situations where an action or event occurred accidentally.
- 1. I spilled coffee on my shirt by accident.
- 2. She bumped into him by accident.
- 3. He deleted the important file by accident.
Definition: On Accident is a less common variation of the phrase 'By Accident' and has the same meaning.
Usage: It is used in some dialects or regions as an alternative to 'By Accident'.
- 1. I dropped the plate on accident.
- 2. He stepped on my foot on accident.
- 3. She locked herself out of the house on accident.
The phrases “by accident” and “on accident” are both used to indicate that something happened unintentionally or unexpectedly. However, “by accident” is the more commonly accepted phrase and is used in standard English. “On accident” is considered non-standard and is primarily used in certain dialects or regions. It is generally recommended to use “by accident” for clarity and correctness.
By Accident vs On Accident: 5 Quizzes
1. What is the opposite of 'By Accident'?
2. What is the opposite of 'On Accident'?
3. Which phrase means something happened unintentionally?
4. Which phrase means something happened intentionally?
5. Which phrase means something was done intentionally?
FAQs
What does 'By Accident' mean?
The phrase 'By Accident' means that something happened unintentionally or without planning.
What does 'On Accident' mean?
The phrase 'On Accident' is a colloquial variation of 'By Accident' and has the same meaning.
Is 'By Accident' grammatically correct?
Yes, 'By Accident' is the standard and grammatically correct phrase to use.
Is 'On Accident' grammatically correct?
No, 'On Accident' is not grammatically correct, but it is commonly used in informal speech.
Are 'By Accident' and 'On Accident' interchangeable?
Yes, 'By Accident' and 'On Accident' can be used interchangeably in most contexts.