tcjessup

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tcjessup
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  November 2021     3 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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Identify the sentence with correct use of the gerund as the object of the preposition:
A They are good at to play the piano.
B He is not capable to understanding the situation.
C She avoids to speak in public.
D I am interested in learning new things.