Is there a difference between an accident & a misake?

Question

I thought they were both the same thing.

Answer 1

An accident is something that we didn't mean to do - the act that leads to the end result was unintended.
A mistake is just the opposite. We intend to do the act but desired or wanted to get a different result.
An accident means the act was unintended whereas a mistake is the result is unintended.

Answer 2

An accident is generally beyond my control.
-- It was an accident of timing that left me at the grocery when the rain started.

I control, or fail to control, those events I describe as mistakes.
--I knew I should take my umbrella, but I failed to do so. That was a mistake.

Your question points out a fine distinction, because many mistakes - errors - lead to accidents. What is a mistake in my driving could become an accident for those around me.

Many people use them interchangeably, as in "I accidentally left my umbrella at home," but to be strictly factual, we should say "mistakenly."

It might be helpful to remember that accidentally is the opposite of intentionally and mistakenly is the opposite of properly or correctly.

I liked this question. I'm glad you pushed "submit" intentionally.

Answer 3

An accident is made by not pay attention a mistake is doing it wrong.

Answer 4

If you trip and fall against your teacher, knocking her over, it's an accident. If you bump into your teacher on purpose and knock her over, it's a mistake (and the principal will explain just how big a mistake it was).

Answer 5

They aren't the exactly the same, but it's hard to describe how they are different because they are similiar.

Answer 6

a dictionary is a good reference book for fleshing out the different nuances of words


see for example, m-w.com
after reading the definitions of each word, it should be obvious that they are not the same

Answer 7

Is it a mistake or a mishap?