March 9, 2016

accident

Use the word "accident" when you or another person makes a mistake:

• I’m sorry. That was an accident.
• Maria knocked the glass over by accident.
• He didn’t mean to do it. It was an accident.
• The company’s negligence resulted in an accident.

The word "accident" is often used when one or more cars crash:

• Joseph got into an accident with another driver.
• There was a major accident on the highway this morning.
• To avoid accidents, drivers need to slow down.
• It’s necessary to have automobile insurance in case you get into an accident.

The word "accidental" is an adjective:

• I didn’t mean to do that. It was accidental.
• Accidental deaths in the U.S. are declining as people become more safety conscious.
• The shooting was not intentional. It was accidental. (The word "intentional" is the opposite adjective.)

The word "accidentally" is an adverb:

• The man accidentally knocked over a display with his shopping cart.
• We accidentally made a wrong turn and got lost.
• Thinking it was his, Kevin accidentally took someone else’s coat from the coat rack.

He had an accident while skiiing.

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