Word
inadvertently
Phoneticsin·ad·ver·tent·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnædˈvɝtəntɫi/
UK/ɪnɐdvˈɜːtəntli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. by accident or without meaning to. You use this when you do something because you are not paying attention, not because you planned it.
adv. without intention; through a lack of attention or care. Often modifies verbs related to communication or physical actions.
Examples
“I inadvertently deleted the wrong file.”
“During the meeting, the manager inadvertently revealed the secret plans for the new office location.”
“By failing to update the security software, the technician inadvertently left the entire network vulnerable to external attacks for several weeks.”
Examples
simple
“I inadvertently deleted the wrong file.”
contextual
“During the meeting, the manager inadvertently revealed the secret plans for the new office location.”
complex
“By failing to update the security software, the technician inadvertently left the entire network vulnerable to external attacks for several weeks.”
Usage
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
He did it inadvertent
He did it inadvertently
Learners often use the adjective form 'inadvertent' when the adverbial form is required to modify an action.
Real-World Examples
“Finally followed Meta, which revealed one of its AI models had inadvertently been allowed to access the internet due to a "misconfiguration" during a third-party test .” “We may inadvertently strengthen rightwing arguments that care is a familial concern (by which they mean female family members should do it all for free), rather than something to be funded by government.” Etymology
From inadvertent + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/inadvertently