B2 adjective Neutral

accidental

/ˌæksɪˈdentl/

Describes something that happens by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly rather than by design. It is used to qualify events or actions that were not planned or intended by the person involved.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

I made an accidental deletion of my favorite photos while trying to clear space.

I unintentionally deleted my favorite photos while trying to clear space.

2

The release of the sensitive data was deemed accidental by the investigating committee.

The committee concluded that the sensitive data was released without intent.

3

Sorry I bumped into you, it was totally accidental!

I apologize for bumping into you; I did not mean to do it.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
accident
Adverbio
accidentally
Adjetivo
accidental
Relacionado
accidentality
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Truco para recordar

Think of an 'accident'. If you have an accident, you didn't do it on purpose; therefore, the action was 'accidental'.

Quiz rápido

The scientist made an _______ discovery while looking for a way to improve battery life.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: accidental

Ejemplos

1

I made an accidental deletion of my favorite photos while trying to clear space.

everyday

I unintentionally deleted my favorite photos while trying to clear space.

2

The release of the sensitive data was deemed accidental by the investigating committee.

formal

The committee concluded that the sensitive data was released without intent.

3

Sorry I bumped into you, it was totally accidental!

informal

I apologize for bumping into you; I did not mean to do it.

4

The accidental discovery of penicillin changed the course of modern medical history.

academic

The chance discovery of penicillin significantly altered medical history.

5

The company incurred accidental costs due to a minor logistical error in the supply chain.

business

The business faced unexpected costs because of a small mistake in logistics.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
accident
Adverbio
accidentally
Adjetivo
accidental
Relacionado
accidentality

Colocaciones comunes

accidental death a death caused by an unexpected event
accidental damage damage caused by chance or mistake
accidental discovery finding something without looking for it
accidental discharge the unintentional release of a substance or weapon
accidental meeting running into someone without planning to

Frases Comunes

purely accidental

completely by chance without any intent

accidental hero

someone who becomes a hero by being in a specific situation by chance

accidental death and dismemberment

a specific type of insurance policy coverage

Se confunde a menudo con

accidental vs incidental

Accidental means happening by chance/without intent, whereas incidental means happening as a minor or secondary consequence of something else.

📝

Notas de uso

The word is primarily used to describe events that lack intent. In writing, it is considered more formal than the phrase 'by mistake'.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often use the noun 'accident' as an adjective, saying 'it was an accident discovery' instead of the correct 'accidental discovery'.

💡

Truco para recordar

Think of an 'accident'. If you have an accident, you didn't do it on purpose; therefore, the action was 'accidental'.

📖

Origen de la palabra

From the Late Latin 'accidentalem', derived from 'accidere', meaning 'to happen' or 'to fall upon'.

Patrones gramaticales

Usually precedes a noun (attributive use). Can be used after linking verbs like 'to be' or 'seem'.
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Contexto cultural

In many Western legal and insurance systems, 'accidental' is a specific classification used to determine liability or payouts.

Quiz rápido

The scientist made an _______ discovery while looking for a way to improve battery life.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: accidental

Palabras relacionadas

proceed

C1

The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.

individual

C1

Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.

appropriately

B2

To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.

region

B2

A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.

resource

B2

A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

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