Is it on accident or by accident?

The original and correct phrase is “by accident.” However, “on accident” is an error likely formed by people trying to say the opposite of “on purpose.” Although it’s a common mistake, the right way to say this phrase is “by accident.”

You can avoid this error by replacing “by accident” with “accidentally” (e.g., “I broke the lamp by accident” vs. “I broke the lamp accidentally”). Make sure not to replace it with “accidently,” as this is considered a common misspelling.

Common mistakes: Other interesting questions

What is a follow up email?: A follow-up email is an email in which the sender is reaching out to someone who has already been contacted to inquire about or request further information about something.

For example, it’s common to write a follow-up email a few days after submitting an application to ask about its current status.
Is it myriad of or just myriad?: The correct usage is myriad, not myriad of. As an adjective meaning “many,” myriad should be used on its own to modify a noun (e.g., “She gave myriad excuses for not meeting her sales goals”).

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you make sure you’re using words like myriad correctly.
Is it of coarse or of course?: The spelling of the phrase meaning “certainly” or “obviously” is of course. It is also sometimes used in place of “you’re welcome” as a response to “thank you.”

“Coarse” means “rough” or “vulgar.” It is sometimes used with the preposition “of” to describe something’s texture (e.g., “This sack is made of coarse material”).

Of course is by far the more common phrase.

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you make sure you’re using phrases like of course correctly.
What’s the meaning of me as well?: The meaning of “me as well” is “me too.”

“As well” is an adverb that means “also” or “too.” Do not get confused between aswell and as well. “As well” is the correct way to write this phrase; “aswell” is always incorrect.

For example:

They gave my sister a computer, and they gave one to me as well.

They gave my sister a computer, and they gave one to me aswell.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you always write “as well” correctly.
What are some synonyms for fair?: “Fair” means “reasonable and correct,” “light colored,” or “moderately good.”

Some synonyms for “fair” meaning “reasonable and correct” are:

Just

Impartial

Unbiased

Some synonyms for “fair” meaning “light colored” are:

Pale

Light

Blond (for hair)

Some synonyms for “fair” meaning “moderately good” are:

Average

Decent

Fair to middling (sometimes misspelled as fair to Midland)

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find even more synonyms for “fair.”
What’s the meaning of middling?: “Middling” is an adjective that means “moderate or average” (e.g., “The restaurant received middling reviews”).

“Middling” is also used in the phrase “fair to middling”—sometimes misspelled as fair to Midland—which also means “moderate or average.”

It’s also an adverb meaning “fairly or moderately” (e.g., “He was middling successful in his new business venture”). This use is less common.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you’re using this word correctly.
What is negligence per se?: “Negligence per se” means “negligence by itself” or “inherent negligence.” Per se means “by itself” or “inherently.”

It’s used when an act is considered negligent because it violates a statute or regulation.

Don’t misspell “per se” as “per say,” which is incorrect. A QuillBot Grammar Check can catch any spelling mistakes you might make.
What’s the meaning of per se in law?: In law, per se means “by itself” or “inherently.”

It is used to refer to something that is inherently illegal or problematic, regardless of the circumstances or context.

People sometimes write “per se” as “per say,” but this is incorrect. A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you spell this correctly.
Is definately a word?: No, “definately” is not a word. It is a misspelling of the adverb definitely, which means “without doubt” or “in a definite way.”

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help you avoid spelling errors like this.
How do you spell definitely?: The correct spelling is definitely. Other spellings like definately or definitly are wrong.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help you avoid this spelling mistake.
What’s the meaning of coming down the pike?: “Coming down the pike” is an idiom that means “coming down the road.” “Pike” comes from “turnpike,” a type of road. This idiom is often used metaphorically to talk about something approaching or expected in the future.

People sometimes say coming down the pike or pipe. “Coming down the pike” is the correct version, but “coming down the pipe” is gaining popularity.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can ensure you use the correct version of this idiom.
Is it quote on quote or quote-unquote?: Quote on quote is an eggcorn, a misunderstood pronunciation of quote-unquote, which is an idiom that indicates you’re quoting someone while you’re speaking aloud. For example, someone might say, “In his speech, President Biden said, quote-unquote, ‘America is an idea.’ ” While this phrase is common, it’s not necessary.
Is it regardless or irregardless?: Irregardless and regardless are sometimes used interchangeably. However, most dictionaries consider irregardless a nonstandard word, so it should be avoided in professional communication or academic writing. Some language authorities accept the use in informal language.

Both words mean “despite everything.”

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Is irregardless a real word?: Irregardless is sometimes used instead of regardless to mean “despite everything.”

Most dictionaries don’t consider irregardless a standard word, so it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication. However, some language authorities accept the use in informal language.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to fix your mistakes for free.
Is it belonging to ours or our’s?: Ours and our’s are often confused. In the case of “belonging to,” both “ours” and “our’s” are actually incorrect. The correct version is belonging to us.

Ours is used as a first-person plural possessive pronoun (e.g., “the dog is ours”).

Our’s is a common misspelling of this word and should be avoided.

This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as hers and theirs.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to avoid mistakes like these!
Is it not ours or not our’s?: The correct version is not ours (without an apostrophe).

Ours and our’s are often confused, but “our’s” is never correct. Ours is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as hers and theirs.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to avoid mistakes like these!
What is a synonym for truly?: There are various synonyms for each meaning of truly:

Properly Absolutely In a truthful way

Correctly Really Honestly

Precisely Undoubtedly Sincerely

Exactly Totally Truthfully

Accurately Completely Candidly

You can also explore further synonyms using the QuillBot Paraphraser.
Is it try theirs or try their’s?: The correct version is try theirs (without an apostrophe).

Theirs and their’s are often confused, but “their’s” is never correct. Theirs is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe.
Is it that’s their’s or theirs?: The correct version is that’s theirs (without an apostrophe).

Theirs and their’s are often confused, but “their’s” is never correct. Theirs is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe.
Is it laid out or layed out?: The past tense of lay out is laid out. “Layed out” is not correct in standard English because laid is the past tense of lay.

Laid out means “spread out,” “present,” or (informally) “knock out, render unconscious.”

The QuillBot Grammar Checker lets you make sure you are using the correct past tense of “lay out.”
What’s the meaning of headcount?: “Headcount” is a noun that means “the instance of counting how many people are present.”

For example, a teacher may do a headcount when taking students on a trip to make sure everyone is accounted for.

A headcount differs from a roll call or a “roster check,” both of which run through names to see who is present and who isn’t.

QuillBot’s Grammar Check can check that you use words like “headcount” correctly every time.
What is the definition of roll call vote?: A “roll call vote” is defined as a vote where members of the voting body are called on by name and must then say if they are for or against something.

Roll call votes are mostly associated with legislature and board meetings.

The name comes from the noun roll call, which refers to the act of taking attendance.

QuillBot’s Grammar Check can make sure you use “roll call vote” correctly in your writing.
Is it grateful to or for?: The adjective “grateful” can be used with the prepositions “to” and “for.”

You can be “grateful for” someone or something, and you can be “grateful to” someone for something they’ve done.

For example:

I am grateful for my family.

We are grateful for our education.

Rachel’s grateful to Keisha for all her support.

Remember it’s always “grateful” and never greatful.

A QuillBot grammar check can make sure you’re using this phrase and others correctly.
What’s the meaning of beyond grateful?: “Beyond grateful” is an adjective phrase that means “overwhelmingly thankful.” If you say you are “beyond grateful,” you express an emotion that goes beyond regular gratitude.

For example:

He was beyond grateful to finally achieve his lifelong dream.

She was beyond grateful to receive the scholarship that changed her life.

After surviving the accident, I’m beyond grateful to be alive.

Bear in mind that it’s always “grateful.” Greatful is a common misspelling and is always wrong.

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you use phrases like “beyond grateful” correctly in your writing.
What’s the meaning of eternally grateful?: “Eternally grateful” is an adjective phrase that means you are “very thankful.” Saying that you are “eternally grateful” means you feel a deep and usually permanent thankfulness.

For example:

I’m eternally grateful for your support during my toughest times.

I’ll be eternally grateful to the person who gave me this kidney.

He saved her life, and for that, she’s eternally grateful.

Remember that it’s always “grateful” and never greatful.

A QuillBot grammar check can make sure you always use this phrase correctly.
What’s the meaning of laid off?: “Laid off” is a phrasal verb that means “to stop employing someone,” usually due to a lack of work.

For example:

I was laid off last spring.

The company laid off 20 employees.

“Laid off” is always spelled like this, as “laid” is the past tense of the verb “lay.” Layed is never correct.

QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can make sure you use “laid off” correctly in your writing.
Is layed a word?: No, layed isn’t a word in standard English. The past tense of the verb lay is laid. Lay is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t add “-ed” to form the past tenses. It is a transitive verb and always needs a direct object to make sense.

Laid is the simple past tense form of lay and is used to describe actions that have already taken place (e.g., “Colleen laid out a pencil and paper pad for each delegate”).

Laid is also the past participle, used for perfect tenses and the passive voice (e.g., “The cable had been laid carefully where no one would trip over it”).

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you are using the correct past tense of lay.
Is it laid down or layed down?: “Layed down” is not correct in standard English. If a person is laying something down, the correct past tense is laid down because laid is the past tense of lay.

Luke laid the pane of glass down very carefully.
Steve had laid down the first layer of concrete yesterday.

If the person is lying themselves down, then the correct spelling is lay down (simple past) or lain down (past participle).

Nikita lay down and fell asleep immediately.
Pam had lain down ages ago but still couldn’t sleep.

You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to make sure you are using the correct verb and past tense form.

https://quillbot.com/blog/frequently-asked-questions/is-it-laid-down-or-layed-down/
Is it layed off or laid off?: When someone loses their job, or is made redundant, then they are laid off. “Layed” isn’t a word in standard English.

Lay is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t add “-ed” to form the past tenses. Laid is both the simple past tense form and past participle of lay.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker will help you ensure that you are using the past tense of lay correctly.
Is it concern of theirs or their’s?: The correct version is concern of theirs (without an apostrophe).

Theirs and their’s are often confused, but “their’s” is never correct. Theirs is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to check your spelling.
Is it either or ither?: The correct spelling is either. Ither is always a mistake. The confusion is caused because either can be pronounced in two ways in American English: [ee-thr] or [eye-thr]. In British English, it is pronounced [eye-thuh]. All pronunciations are spelled the same, though: e-i-t-h-e-r.

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid spelling mistakes in your writing.
Is it troubleshooted or troubleshot?: The past tense of troubleshoot is troubleshot.

“Troubleshot” (not troubleshooted) is the standard simple past tense and past participle form of the verb “troubleshoot” (e.g., “I troubleshot the problem yesterday” or “The problem was troubleshot yesterday”).

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will help you use tricky verbs like “troubleshoot” correctly in your writing.
What’s a synonym for in case?: Some synonyms for the subordinating conjunction in case are:

In preparation for

In the event that

On the off chance

In order to avoid

These phrases refer to precautions against a possible event (e.g., “Take an umbrella on the off chance it rains”).

Some synonyms may require light sentence rewrites when substituting them for “in case.”

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use “in case” and its synonyms correctly.
What’s the definition of incase?: “Incase” is not a word. It’s a misspelling of “in case,” a subordinating conjunction that means “as a precaution against the event of.”

For example, “I’m going to bring snacks in case we get hungry while studying.”

Incase and in case are sometimes confused, but remember that “in case” is always right and “incase” is always wrong.

Or, use a QuillBot Grammar Check to make sure your grammar and spelling are correct.
What is the meaning of encase?: “Encase” is a verb that means “to cover or enclose,” especially in a case or a tight-fitting material.

For example:

The whisky was encased in a bubble wrap before shipping.

The team encased the cameras in their respective cases.

Don’t confuse “encase” with incase or in case. “Incase” is always wrong, and “in case” is a subordinating conjunction that refers to a precaution against a possible event (e.g., “take an umbrella in case it rains”).

A QuillBot Grammar Check can help resolve any doubts about when to use these words.
What’s the meaning of coming soon?: “Coming soon” means “expected to arrive or debut in the near future.”

This adjective phrase can be used in diverse contexts to talk about upcoming products, services, media, or events (e.g., “The director’s new movie is coming soon”).

Some synonyms for “coming soon” are:

Forthcoming

Imminent

On the way

Around the corner

Coming down the pike

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you find other phrases that mean “coming soon.”
What is a turnpike?: The noun “turnpike” refers to a toll road.

Historically, a “turnpike” was a road where pikes—or long sticks—blocked a traveler’s way until they paid a toll. Nowadays, it’s used in American English to refer to an expressway.

“Turnpike” may be shortened to “pike,” like in the idiom coming down the pike, which means “coming down the road.”

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use “turnpike” correctly in your writing.
What is a pike?: “Pike” is a noun that has several meanings.

It can be short for “turnpike,” a type of road. In this context, it’s used in the idiom coming down the pike, which talks about something coming in the future.

“Pike” is also a freshwater fish and a type of Medieval weapon similar to a spear.

A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use this word correctly, regardless of meaning.
What does each other mean?: Each other is a reciprocal pronoun that means “each person or thing in a mutual relationship or reciprocal action” (e.g., “They often pranked each other”).

QuillBot’s Paraphraser tool can help you find new ways to express your meaning.
Is it correct to say I could care less?: “I could care less” is an accepted and widely used variant of the expression “I couldn’t care less,” which means that one is “not concerned with or interested in someone or something.”

For example, “Luisa could care less about where we go” indicates that someone named “Luisa” is not concerned with the destination.

To remain grammatically correct while expressing your lack of interest, use “couldn’t care less.”

Our sentence rephraser can help you vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
Is it dyeing or dying?: When referring to the process of death or when something stops functioning, the correct spelling is “dying” (e.g., “My phone battery is dying”).

However, “dyeing” is a homophone that means “to change something’s color using a dye or liquid substance (e.g., “We are dyeing our t-shirts blue”).
How do you spell dieing?: When referring to the verb that means “to stop being alive,” the correct spelling is “dying” not “dieing” (e.g., “I got word that my cat is dying”).
What are synonyms of dying?: Some synonyms of “dying” include:

Departing

Passing away

Perishing

The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find more alternatives for “dying.”
What’s a synonym for separate when used as an adjective?: Some synonyms for separate when used as an adjective include:

Detached

Disparate

Distinct

Independent

Individual

QuillBot’s paragraph rewriter can help you find synonyms for words like “separate.”
What’s a synonym for separate when used as a verb?: Some synonyms for separate when used as a verb include:

Detach

Disconnect

Divide

Part

Split

QuillBot’s sentence rewriter can help you explore new ways to express your meaning.
What does accidentaly mean?: “Accidentaly” is an incorrect spelling of “accidentally,” which is an adverb that describes an action as unintentional (e.g., “I accidentally went to the wrong class”). Another common misspelling is “accidently.”

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to ensure your writing is free of spelling errors.
What is a synonym of accidentally?: Synonyms of accidentally include:

Inadvertently

Unintentionally

Unwittingly

Accidently is not a synonym of accidentally as it’s considered a common misspelling.
Is it could or couldn’t care less?: The original (and more logical) saying is “couldn’t care less” (e.g., “I couldn’t care less who wins”). However, “could care less” is widely popular and accepted as a variant of the original saying (e.g., “I could care less how we get there”).

Our sentence rephraser can help you vary your writing and express your intended meaning.
How do you spell each other?: “Each other” is always spelled as two words (e.g., “Let’s draw a portrait of each other”). “Eachother” is a common incorrect spelling.
What does vaccum mean?: “Vaccum” is an incorrect spelling of the word “vacuum.”

“Vacuum” can be used as a noun meaning “emptiness of space” or when referring to a cleaning device that suctions dirt, dust, and more off the floor. As a verb, “vacuum” means “to use a vacuum cleaner.”
Is it vaccum or vacuum?: The correct spelling is “vacuum” (with one “c,” two “u’s,” and ending with the letter “m”). “Vaccum” is a common incorrect spelling of “vacuum.”
What is vaccuming?: “Vaccuming” is an incorrect spelling of “vacuuming,” which is the present participle form of the verb “vacuum” (e.g., “I was vacuuming when you knocked, so I didn’t hear you”).
What does email address mean?: “Email address” (or “e-mail address”) refers to a unique identifier, usually consisting of letters, numbers, and some symbols, that identifies where an email is being sent (e.g., “Please write down your email address to receive special offers”).
Is it e mail or e-mail?: The correct spelling is always “e-mail” or “email,” but never “e mail.”

E-mail and email are different spelling variations and mean “electronic mail.”
Is email hyphenated?: The word “email” doesn’t have to be hyphenated. Both “email” and “e-mail” are widely used and accepted, although “email” has become more common.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure your writing is free of punctuation and spelling errors.
Is it beleive or believe?: The correct spelling is “believe.” Although there are many exceptions, “believe” is an example of a word that follows the “i before e except after c rule.”

QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker will catch any misspellings in your writing.
Is it friend of hers or her’s?: The correct version is friend of hers (without an apostrophe).

Hers and her’s are often confused, but “her’s” is never correct. Hers is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as ours and theirs.

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What punctuation mark is most closely associated with interjections?: An interjection is typically followed by an exclamation point. It emphasizes the urgency or intensity of a thought, emotion, or request. An example of an interjection is “whoa!”

You use a comma or period if the expressed emotion is not supposed to come across as intense (e.g., “Oh. I must have missed that.”).

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How do you spell whoa?: Whoa and woah are often confused, but whoa is the correct spelling. It is used as an interjection to express alarm or surprise, or to attract attention. “Woah” is a spelling variant that’s considered wrong by most language authorities.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Is it jist, gist, or gyst?: Jist and gist are two commonly used spellings, but the correct spelling is gist. It means “main idea.” The other variants, jist and gyst, are not considered real words and should be avoided.
What is a synonym for jist or gist?: Jist and gist are often confused, but the correct spelling is gist. Synonyms and near synonyms of this word include:

Essence

Main idea

Summary

Core

Thrust

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What is a synonym for label?: There are multiple synonyms for the word label, depending on its meaning:

Label (noun, information about something): tag, ticket, docket

Label (verb, to attach a label): to ticket, to tag

Label (verb, to label a person): to pigeonhole, to classify, to stereotype

Our AI Rewriter can help you find synonyms for words like “label.”
Is it shipping lable or label?: Label and lable are often confused, but the correct spelling is shipping label. Lable is a common misspelling, but it’s not a real word.

Use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to correct any misspellings in your writing.
How do you spell sence?: Sence and sence are often confused, but sense is the only correct spelling. It’s used as a noun to refer to “awareness” or “good judgment,” as a verb to mean “to feel,” and to refer to the five sensory faculties.

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Is it common sense or sence?: Sense and sence are often confused, but the correct spelling is common sense. “Sence” is a misspelling (in this expression and in any other context) and should be avoided.

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Is the i before e except after c rule correct?: The i before e except after c rule is correct only for a certain group of words, including “receive,” “deceive,” and “conceive.” There are many other words that do not fit into this rule, such as “science,” “ancient,” and “efficient.”

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to check your spelling in all your writing.
Is it his or hers or his or her’s?: The correct version is his or hers (without an apostrophe).

Hers and her’s are often confused, but “her’s” is never correct. Hers is a possessive pronoun and doesn’t take an apostrophe. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as ours and theirs.

Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to avoid mistakes like these!
Is it fourty or forty dollars?: Forty and fourty are often confused, but forty dollars is correct. “Fourty” is always incorrect and should be avoided.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it fourty five or forty-five?: Forty and fourty are often confused, but forty-five is the correct spelling. “Fourty” is always incorrect and should be avoided.

The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Is it calve or calf?: When describing one singular offspring of an animal such as a cow, elephant, or whale, the correct term to use is “calf.” Similarly, when talking about the region behind your lower leg and the muscles that comprise it, the correct term is also “calf.” Calfs and calves are often confused, but the correct plural form for both calf and calve is calves.
Is calfs correct?: No, using “calfs” is not correct. The correct plural form is “calves.” Some dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, list “calfs” as a variant spelling of “calves” when referring to the hides of young cows. But this is not commonly used.
What is the plural of calf?: The plural of “calf” is “calves.” It can be used to describe certain young animals (e.g., “elephant calves”) or the muscles behind the lower legs (e.g., “strong calves”). Calfs and calves are often confused, but calfs is never the correct plural form.
Is suddenly an adverb?: Yes, suddenly is an adverb that describes something as “abrupt and unexpected” (e.g., “Suddenly, it got really quiet”).

“All of a sudden” is an idiom that is synonymous with the word “suddenly” (e.g., “All of a sudden, everyone cheered”).
What does all the sudden mean?: All the sudden is an incorrect variant of the idiom “all of a sudden,” which describes something as happening “quickly and unexpectedly” (e.g., “All of a sudden, the table collapsed”).

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Is it on accident or by accident?

Common mistakes: Other interesting questions

Properly	Absolutely	In a truthful way
Correctly	Really	Honestly
Precisely	Undoubtedly	Sincerely
Exactly	Totally	Truthfully
Accurately	Completely	Candidly