ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unintentionally

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌənɪnˈtɛnʃənəɫi// UK //ˌʌnɪntˈɛnʃənəli// un·in·ten·tion·al·ly

adv. by accident or without meaning to. You use this when you do something that you did not plan or intend to do.

adv. in a manner that is not deliberate or planned. Often modifies verbs related to causing harm, making mistakes, or discovering information.


SIMPLE

I unintentionally deleted the wrong file.

CONTEXTUAL

She unintentionally offended her host by arriving much earlier than the invitation had specified.

COMPLEX

The researcher unintentionally discovered a new chemical compound while attempting to refine a completely different substance for an industrial client.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From unintentional + -ly or un- + intentionally.

Usage

Typically follows the verb it modifies or sits between the subject and the main verb.

Pitfall

He did it unintentionalHe did it unintentionallyLearners often use the adjective form 'unintentional' when an adverb is required to modify the verb.

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