By Accident versus On Accident

What is the Difference Between On Accident and By Accident?

When to Use By Accident

By accident is an adverb phrase. It is synonymous with the traditional adverb accidentally, which means not on purpose.

If you did not mean to spill a glass of milk, but you spilled it anyway, you would have done it by accident. Likewise, if you burned a batch of chocolate chip cookies, you would likely have done it by accident, and not on purpose.

Adverbs and adverb phrases modify verbs by describing how they were performed. By accident and accidentally describe something that was not done intentionally.

When to Use On Accident

On accident is a variant form of the same adverb phrase. Depending on the person you talk to, it may or may not be considered an error.


Summary

Is it on accident or by accident? By accident and on accident are two versions of an adverb phrase that means not on purpose.

By accident is the standard, accepted form in print.

On accident might be common in spoken American English, but it isn’t an acceptable form in writing and publishing.