Confusing Words: Accidentally (adverb) and Accidently (nonstandard) Meaning: Accidentally (adverb) is the standard, grammatically correct adverbial form. It is used to mean ‘by chance,’ ‘unintentionally,’ or ‘by mistake.’ It describes an action that was not planned. Accidently is a nonstandard, incorrect variant of accidentally. While people often pronounce it this way, it is widely considered a spelling error in formal, professional, and academic writing.
Accidentally vs Accidently
Clarification: While these two words are intended to carry the same meaning, they are not interchangeable because one is a spelling mistake. Their primary difference lies in their grammatical acceptance; “Accidentally” is built from the adjective “accidental,” requiring the “al” before adding “ly.” Using the shorter version is a frequent error to avoid.
Today’s post clarifies a subtle but important point in English vocabulary: the correct usage of accidentally vs. accidently. This is a frequent area of confusion, especially for those mastering the finer points of written English, causing them to second-guess the double “L” in the middle of the word.
So, I will come up with the definitions and will provide you with a few example sentences to show the correct usage of these words in a simple way.
Accidentally vs. Accidently – Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Is it accidentally or accidently?
When you encounter accidentally and accidently, it’s easy to assume they are simple variations of each other. However, one is a standard, universally accepted word, while the other is an incorrect version that should be avoided. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding polished and professional in your communication. Let’s break them down one by one.
Accidentally
For any form of writing be it academic, professional, or even daily communication accidentally is always the correct choice. As a versatile adverb, accidentally serves to describe mishaps or unplanned events. It is the form recognized as standard English worldwide because it follows the rule of adding “-ly” to the adjective “accidental.”
For example,
- I accidentally deleted the important file from my computer. (used to mean by mistake)
- We accidentally took the wrong turn and ended up at the beach. (used to mean unintentionally)
- She accidentally spilled her coffee on the new rug. (used to mean a physical mishap)
- The discovery was made accidentally during a different experiment. (used to mean by chance)
Accidently
You should think of accidently as the incorrect cousin of accidentally. While you might see it in casual texts, it carries a nonstandard label, meaning it is not considered appropriate for any level of writing. Its existence is mostly due to how the word is lazily pronounced in spoken dialogue.
Using accidently in an essay or business email is a clear spelling error—it signals a lack of attention to detail. So, while you might hear people say it, you should avoid putting it in writing at all costs.
For example,
- I accidently broke the vase. (used as a common spelling mistake)
- He said it was done accidently. (used in nonstandard, informal contexts)
Check Out: Incident vs Accident.
Got the Difference?
It is clear now!
The rule is simple and effective: always use accidentally in your writing. It is correct 100% of the time. Completely remove accidently from your vocabulary, as it is technically a “non-word” in the professional world. When you need to be clear, correct, and professional, accidentally is your only option.
Accidentally = Standard, formal, and correct for all writing.
Accidently = Nonstandard, incorrect, and a common spelling error.
What Did You Learn?
Do not let these two words trip you up. They are not interchangeable in any sense. Accidentally is the universally accepted standard for all forms of communication. Accidently is an informal mistake that signals poor spelling and should be kept out of your work. If you are ever in doubt, the choice is simple: always include the “al” and use accidentally.