Confusing words explained
“accidentally” vs “accidently” — What’s the Difference?
Accidentally is the only correct spelling — formed by adding -ly to the adjective 'accidental'. Accidently is a common misspelling that drops the second 'a' and is rejected by every standard dictionary, even though it appears often in informal writing. Always include the full -ally ending.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: accidentally vs accidently
Accidentally is the only correct spelling — formed by adding -ly to the adjective 'accidental'. Accidently is a common misspelling that drops the second 'a' and is rejected by every standard dictionary, even though it appears often in informal writing. Always include the full -ally ending.
accidentally vs accidently Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of accidentally
by chance; not intentionally
When something happens without planning or purpose. The action was not deliberate.
Use with past tense verbs: 'I accidentally spilled it.' Indicates unplanned actions.
- I accidentally spilled my coffee on my shirt.
- She accidentally sent the email to the wrong person.
Meaning of accidently
A word in English.
Use accidently when you mean a word in English.
Usage Notes & Nuance
accidentally: Common in both formal and casual speech across English-speaking countries.
How to Remember the Difference
Accidental + ly = accidentally — keep the -al before the -ly.
Common Mistakes with accidentally and accidently
Mistake with accidentally
Correct: I did it accidentally
Mistake with accidentally
Correct: I did it on purpose / I did it accidentally
Practice Quiz: accidentally or accidently?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
I _____ spilled my coffee on my shirt.
Question 2
She _____ sent the email to the wrong person.
Question 3
He _____ broke the vase while cleaning the room.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About accidentally vs accidently
What’s the difference between “accidentally” and “accidently”?
Accidentally is the only correct spelling — formed by adding -ly to the adjective 'accidental'. Accidently is a common misspelling that drops the second 'a' and is rejected by every standard dictionary, even though it appears often in informal writing. Always include the full -ally ending.
When should I use “accidentally”?
Use with past tense verbs: 'I accidentally spilled it.' Indicates unplanned actions.
How can I remember accidentally vs accidently?
Accidental + ly = accidentally — keep the -al before the -ly.
Is it “accidentally” or “accidently” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.