Question
Updated on
24 Jan 2021
- Spanish (Spain)
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between On purpose and On accident and by accident ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between On purpose and On accident and by accident ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Answers
Read more comments
- English (US)
“I didn’t mean to throw it on purpose.” “I hit him by accident!” “It was on accident!” The traditional phrase is by accident. It means without intention or because of chance instead of effort or purpose.
On accident is a variation found almost exclusively inside the United States. It is grammatically on par with the phrase on purpose. One can either do something on purpose or on accident. Outside that particular comparison, this version is much less popular than by accident, with the latter being eight times more common.
Was this answer helpful?
- Spanish (Spain)
- Spanish (Spain)
- English (US)
@domybarahona no they do not mean the same thing. On accident" (meaning "accidentally") does seem to be an unusual usage that frequently appears in opposition to the much more idiomatic "on purpose" (meaning "purposefully").
Was this answer helpful?
- English (US)
@domybarahona so I reposted the answer I just had to add something but no problem
Was this answer helpful?
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by both native speakers and AI 📝✨.
Sign up
Related questions
Recommended Questions
- What is the difference between I'm down for it and I'm up for it ?
- What is the difference between write in your notebook and write on your notebook ?
- What is the difference between missin' and missing ?
- What is the difference between hope everything goes well and hope everything's going well ?
- What is the difference between recall, cancel, undo and revoke ?
Topic Questions
- What is the difference between the date that I started to go to China. and the date that I star...
- What is the difference between I waited at the bus stop for 30 mins and I have waited at the bus ...
- What is the difference between very and really ?
- What is the difference between Oil and water don't mix. and Oil and water don't blend. ?
- What is the difference between I'm older than him and I'm older than he is ?
Newest Questions
- What is the difference between Burn up and Burn down ?
- What is the difference between Claire feels uneasy when her daughter doesn't get back home until ...
- What is the difference between i’ve a dream and i’ve got a dream ?
- What is the difference between shredder and grater ?
- What is the difference between which station should i transfer? and At what station should i tran...
Previous question/ Next question
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.