Search from various English teachers...
Robin
by accident and by chance
I ran into him by accident.
I ran into him by chance.
are they both natural?
Thank you!
Dec 1, 2014 12:13 PM
Answers · 10
6
It depends on your meaning. 'By accident' and 'by chance' don't have exactly the same meaning.
If 'I ran into him' means 'I met him in the street', for example, you would be more likely to say 'by chance' in this situation. This means 'I happened to run into him' ie you hadn't arranged to meet, and you didn't expect to see him.
'By accident' is mainly used when you have done something wrong, but not deliberately. It is the opposite of on 'purpose'. So, if 'I ran into him' means, for example, that I physically banged into him during a football match, then you could say 'by accident'. This would mean that you didn't deliberately bump into him, or that you didn't do this 'on purpose'.
December 1, 2014
1
Yes, they are both fine.
December 1, 2014
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Robin
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
10 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
9 likes · 2 Comments
More articles