On accident vs by an accident

The correct phrase is 'by accident.' 'On accident' is not a standard or widely accepted phrase in English. 'By accident' is the correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something happened unintentionally.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1252 views

'On accident' is not a standard or widely accepted phrase in English.

"On accident"

The correct phrase to use is 'by accident' to indicate that something happened unintentionally.

Show examples from the web [+]

Possibly on purpose but probably on accident.
He left it here on accident.
The adoption of a directive on accident and investigation in November 1994 was the first EU response to the use of these new powers.
Well, six months have now elapsed and the road safety groups are saying they don't know what effect the switch-off has had on accident figures.
I was only standing in front of you on accident.
I was only standing in front of you on accident.
Must have fell in there somehow on accident.
'Cause they killed my brother on accident.
Maybe the Sucro is poisoning the vamps on accident.
...just because your child spills something on accident...
Even if a girl shoots me a look on accident, I can use that.
You come back to prison on accident?
We both know she's not here on accident.
If you move, she could slip and slice your jugular vein on accident.
Did you do that on purpose or on accident?
Did you do that on purpose or on accident?
I'd like to know why I had to find out about this group on accident?
I pressed this button on accident but might as well check in.
The adoption of a directive on accident and investigation in 1994 was the first achievement in Community air safety policy.
My brother killed Clive on accident.

Alternatives:

by accident
accidentally

'By an accident' is the correct phrase to use when indicating that something happened unintentionally.

"by an accident"

Use 'by an accident' to describe an event that occurred unintentionally.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's inspired by an accident in which a car crashed into a line of kids.
The largest reserve of fish and shellfish in Europe - and possibly even the world - is being ruined by an accident which we all had a duty to prevent.
Ethan's death could have been caused by an accident.
The pollution caused by an accident involving a vessel transporting highly toxic chemicals can, of course, cause even more concentrated pollution if it happens on a river than might be case on the high seas.
Accordingly, any Member State affected by an accident has at its disposal, should it so wish, effective tools to combat polluters and pollution.
The damages caused by an accident such as warehouse fires could be equivalent to those caused by loss of control of an industrial chemical process.
knowledge of the types of consequences which may be caused by an accident involving dangerous goods,
This was all caused by an accident four years ago, wasn't it?
The provisions mean that passengers will be entitled to compensation in the event of death or injury or loss of, or damage to, luggage caused by an accident.
Now, after Matthew... ...we're a town defined by an accident or a crime.
knowledge of the types of consequences which may be caused by an accident involving dangerous goods and knowledge of the main causes of accidents;
What does it matter, by an accident or something.
I'm not interested in whether a racketeer like Lime was killed by his friends or by an accident.
Appropriate measures should be taken to inform any person liable to be affected by an accident on all matters relating to safety.
The incapacity for work was presumably caused by an accident for which a third party was responsible.
And a couple of weeks ago, on the way back from the show, going along the A3, I was held up for an hour and a half by an accident.
Whereas appropriate measures should be taken to inform any person liable to be affected by an accident on all matters relating to safety;
18b. 'domino effect' means the occurrence of a major accident in an establishment, caused by an accident in the proximity of that establishment.
Care allowance (Pflegegeld) under the Austrian Federal Care Allowance Act (Bundespflegegeldgesetz) with the exception of care allowance granted by accident insurance institutions where the handicap is caused by an accident at work or occupational disease.
be able to consider a claim by his principal regarding compensation for injury to passengers or damage to their baggage caused by an accident during transportation, or regarding compensation for delays, and to understand how such a claim affects his contractual liability.

Alternatives:

by accident
accidentally

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On accident vs by an accident

"On accident"

"by an accident"

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