tcjessup

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tcjessup
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  November 2021     2 years ago

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Grammar.com
Perhaps a logical reason why we say "on purpose" but "by accident" is this. "On" implies that things are going correctly (on course, on track, etc.), whereas "by" implies that they have gone astray (fell by the wayside, overcome by events). Thus, an intended outcome happens on purpose, an unintended one by accident (caused by an unanticipated event) or by mistake (caused by an error). 

3 years ago

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Quiz

Are you a grammar master?

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Choose the sentence with correct use of the modal verb "can":
A They can to solve the problem.
B I can speak three languages.
C He can goes there by himself.
D She cans swim very well.