By accident vs on accident

[maxaroni]

I was alway taught something was “by accident”. Always said that, always heard that. Recently, I have heard 2 different people say “on accident”. I must say, on accident grates on me.

Which do you say?

 

[E&Cmom]

By accident...I have never heard “On accident” until now.

 

[SG131]

By accident

I've heard on accident and it drives me crazy too!

 

[tvguy]

By accident

I've heard on accident and it drives me crazy too!

Same here.

Sort of like "Calling out sick" when in reality you are "calling IN sick", or putting something "on the file" instead of "in the file".

 

[MSPeeler]

I grew up saying “on accident”, which was apparently incorrect . My dad recently told me he never corrected me as a child though because he though it was funny

 

[leebee]

We use accidentally.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I guess I use both now that I'm saying this aloud!

 

[powellrj]

I have heard both used, but saying it out loud, I use by accident.

 

[gotomu212]

Same here.

Sort of like "Calling out sick" when in reality you are "calling IN sick", or putting something "on the file" instead of "in the file".

Just FYI your examples aren’t wrong. Calling out sick is short for calling to inform I’ll be out of the office sick. Calling in sick would be I’m calling into the office to tell you I’m sick. Our official corporate style guide uses calling out sick (as do many institutions like schools/hospitals/government). Putting something on file started because several types of files have you note things directly on the file by writing it on the file folder. That’s why we distinguish between in and on file again for institutionalized uses).

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Uh oh. I'm one of those "on accident" people and I didn't realize other people consider that incorrect until this thread. "On accident" sounds so familiar to my ear that I'm wondering if this is one of those regional differences.

Also, I hear people say "calling out of work," often shortened to simply "calling out," far more frequently than "calling in." The latter is so infrequent that it's made me do a mental double-take the few times I've heard someone say it.

 

[kimblebee]

I’m another on accident person.

The one that sounds strange to me is saying ‘waiting on line’ instead of ‘waiting in line’.

 

[mamamary]

By accident

 

[AustinTink]

By accident.

 

[lovin'fl]

I use both.

It bugs me when someone says 'I was standing on line' instead of in line.

 

[tvguy]

Just FYI your examples aren’t wrong. Calling out sick is short for calling to inform I’ll be out of the office sick. Calling in sick would be I’m calling into the office to tell you I’m sick. Our official corporate style guide uses calling out sick (as do many institutions like schools/hospitals/government). Putting something on file started because several types of files have you note things directly on the file by writing it on the file folder. That’s why we distinguish between in and on file again for institutionalized uses).

Actually, at my place now, they don't care if you say in or out, you just can't put the word "sick" next to it. Violation of HR privacy policy to ask or say someone is ill. We can only say they are "not coming in". HR will sort out whether it is sick, bereavement, family leave, jury duty, vacation, or time off without pay. Far cry from nearly 40 years ago when I started out and the boss instructed me to find out what was wrong with the person, are they really sick enough not to come to work, and do they think they will be back to work the next day!

 

[Disneylover99]

By accident
I've never heard on accident. Thankfully. Cause that would grate on my nerves.

 

[Klayfish]

"On accident" drives me crazy, it's horrible.

I've also heard people say "on yesterday" too... Something like "I went to the doctor on yesterday"

 

[mombrontrent]

I was alway taught something was “by accident”. Always said that, always heard that. Recently, I have heard 2 different people say “on accident”. I must say, on accident grates on me.

Which do you say?

I have always said by accident and every one I know has always said it that way too. For some reason my oldest daughter always says on accident even through I have always corrected her. Her boyfriend always says on accident and I always tell them they are wrong but they continue to say it this way. I’ve never heard anyone else do this, guess they are meant for each other, lol

 

[DLgal]

By accident.

I think "on accident" came about as the opposite of "on purpose."

Made up language short cuts irritate me to no end.

 

[mombrontrent]

By accident.

I think "on accident" came about as the opposite of "on purpose."

Made up language short cuts irritate me to no end.

Oh yeah my daughter the same one who says on accident says by purpose. I have told her all her life she’s mixing the two up but she still says it this way every time and she’s almost 16.