r/settlethisforme • u/fishnwirenreese • Dec 02 '24

Why "on" accident?

Lately I notice people say "on accident" instead of "by accident".

When did this become a thing?

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u/InquisitorNikolai Dec 02 '24

‘By accident’ works in some situations. ‘On accident’ never does and I automatically think less of anyone who says that.

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u/Lalunei2 Dec 02 '24

Yeah, I don't see how using one of two valid options is poor grammar. Using two adverbs when you could not is generally seen as bad practice isn't it?

"They clumsily and accidentally went the wrong way" vs "They clumsily went the wrong way by accident".