Incidental vs. Accidental – Which is Correct?

While both incidental and accidental describe events that are not the main focus, their core distinction lies in intent and connection. Accidental refers to something happening purely by chance, without planning or intention. Incidental describes something that occurs as a minor consequence or accompaniment to a larger, more significant event, often predictable even if not intended as the primary outcome.

Incidental or Accidental – Which is Correct?

Both “incidental” and “accidental” are correct and valid words in American English, but they are not interchangeable. The choice between them depends entirely on the nuance of the event you are describing, specifically concerning intent and relationship to a primary action.

Think of it this way: if something happens purely by random chance, without any prior cause or intention, it’s accidental. If something happens as a secondary effect or a minor detail alongside a main event, often as a consequence that could be foreseen but wasn’t the primary goal, it’s incidental. A good “swap test” is to ask: “Was it a side effect?” (incidental) or “Was it completely by chance?” (accidental).

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Incidental	Adjective	Occurring as a minor accompaniment to something else; happening as a result of or in connection with something more important.	The small fee was an incidental cost of the conference, secondary to the main registration.
Accidental	Adjective	Happening by chance or unexpectedly; not planned or intended.	She made an accidental discovery while experimenting in the lab.

How to Use Incidental

The word “incidental” is primarily used as an adjective, though it can also function as a noun (referring to an incidental expense or item). As an adjective, it describes something that is secondary, subordinate, or happens as a minor consequence of a larger event or activity. It implies a connection, but not a primary purpose or focus. It often carries a neutral tone, simply stating a relationship without strong positive or negative connotations, though it can sometimes suggest something trivial or unimportant compared to the main subject.

Example 1: Any noise from the construction next door is merely incidental to our meeting; we should focus on the agenda.

Example 2: While traveling for work, personal sightseeing expenses are considered incidental and are not covered by the company.

Example 3: The bright colors in the background were an incidental detail in the photograph, not the main subject.

What are the different forms of Incidental?

The most common forms related to “incidental” include:

• Incidentally (adverb): By the way; in a casual or minor way. (e.g., “Incidentally, did you finish that report?”)
• Incident (noun): An event or occurrence, often of a minor nature. (e.g., “There was a small incident at the party.”)
• Incidence (noun): The occurrence, rate, or frequency of something undesirable. (e.g., “The incidence of the disease is rising.”)

Etymology of the word Incidental

The word “incidental” originates from the Late Latin incidentalis, which means “happening upon.” This, in turn, comes from incidens, the present participle of incidere, meaning “to fall upon, happen, or occur.” The root “in-” here suggests “upon” or “in connection with,” highlighting the idea of something occurring in relation to something else.

How to Use Accidental

The word “accidental” is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that happens by chance, without intention, planning, or design. It emphasizes randomness and the lack of deliberate action. It often carries a connotation of something unexpected, sometimes with negative implications (like an “accidental injury” or “accidental damage”), but can also refer to fortunate unplanned discoveries (“an accidental breakthrough”). Its tone is generally factual, denoting a lack of intent.

Example 1: The vase shattered due to an accidental bump from the dog’s tail.

Example 2: She discovered the hidden pathway by an accidental turn down the wrong street.

Example 3: The scientist made an accidental but significant discovery during an unrelated experiment.

What are the different forms of Accidental?

The most common forms related to “accidental” include:

• Accidentally (adverb): By chance; unintentionally. (e.g., “He accidentally deleted the file.”)
• Accident (noun): An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. (e.g., “There was a car accident on the highway.”)

Etymology of the word Accidental

The word “accidental” also comes from Late Latin, specifically accidentalis, which means “pertaining to chance.” This derives from accidens, the present participle of accidere, meaning “to happen, fall upon.” The prefix “ad-” (which assimilates to “ac-” before “c”) means “to” or “towards,” suggesting something falling or happening towards an outcome, but without prior design, emphasizing the element of chance.

Related Concepts

Understanding the distinction between “incidental” and “accidental” is closely tied to the concepts of intentionality and causality. Intentionality refers to whether an action or event was planned or desired. “Accidental” explicitly negates intentionality. Causality refers to the relationship between cause and effect. While an “accidental” event might have an immediate cause (e.g., slipping), the event itself is not a deliberate effect. An “incidental” event, however, often has a causal link to a primary event, acting as a secondary or side effect, even if it wasn’t the main intended outcome. Recognizing these underlying concepts helps clarify why certain events are categorized one way versus the other.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In a novel, a character might make an accidental discovery of a hidden diary, meaning they stumbled upon it without looking for it.
• A film critic might note that a particular actor’s brief cameo was incidental to the main plot, serving as a minor detail rather than a crucial development.
• News reports often distinguish between an accidental fire, where the cause was unintended (e.g., faulty wiring), and a deliberately set fire.
• In a legal context, “incidental damages” are those that arise as a direct consequence of a breach of contract but are not the primary losses.
• A scientist might refer to an accidental contamination of a sample, indicating it happened unintentionally, potentially ruining the experiment.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The small cut on his finger was an _______ result of working with sharp tools.
2. During her research, she made an _______ discovery that revolutionized the field.
3. The bright background noise in the video was _______ to the main interview.
4. His presence at the meeting was entirely _______; he was just passing by.
5. The artist’s unique style often comes from _______ splatters and drips of paint.

Answer Key

1. incidental
2. accidental
3. incidental
4. accidental
5. accidental

Incidental Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Secondary	Coming after, less important than, or resulting from something else.
Subordinate	Lower in rank or position; of less importance.
Ancillary	Providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, system, etc.
Concomitant	Naturally accompanying or associated.
Collateral	Additional but subordinate; secondary.

Accidental Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Unintentional	Not done on purpose.
Inadvertent	Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning.
Fortuitous	Happening by chance, especially a lucky chance.
Serendipitous	Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Unforeseen	Not anticipated or predicted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can an event be both incidental and accidental?
No, not simultaneously in the same context. An “accidental” event lacks intent and is purely by chance, whereas an “incidental” event is connected to a primary action, even if secondary. While an accidental event might have incidental consequences, the event itself cannot be both.

Question 2: Which word implies a more negative outcome?
“Accidental” often carries a stronger connotation of a negative or undesirable outcome, such as an “accidental injury” or “accidental damage.” While “incidental” can describe something undesirable, it typically refers to a minor or secondary aspect rather than a direct, unintended harm.

Question 3: Is an “incidental finding” good or bad?
An “incidental finding” in fields like medicine (e.g., an incidentaloma) refers to something discovered unexpectedly during a procedure or scan for an unrelated reason. It is neither inherently good nor bad; its significance depends entirely on the nature of the finding itself.

Conclusion

The distinction between “incidental” and “accidental” hinges on the presence of intent and the nature of the event’s connection to a primary action. “Accidental” denotes something completely unplanned, by chance, and without intention. “Incidental” describes something that occurs as a secondary, often predictable, consequence or accompaniment to a main event. Mastering this nuance allows for more precise and accurate communication.

Pro Tip: Using these words correctly demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of English. Misusing them can subtly alter the meaning of your statements and, in professional contexts, might suggest a lack of precision or attention to detail.