How to spell accidentally
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
accidentally
A-C-C-I-D-E-N-T-A-L-L-Y
The part to watch: accidental + ly, so it has -ally. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Most people say "ak-si-dent-lee", which hides the al. The word is built from accidental, and adding -ly to accidental gives a double l.
Accidentally is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the -ly ending. Most of these words are made by adding -ly to a root word. Spell the root first, then add -ly. A root ending in -le swaps the -le for -ly, as probable becomes probably.
The root, accidental, ends in l, and -ly starts with l, so the word has a double l.
Common mistakes with accidentally
- Wrong: accidentlyRight: accidentally
- Wrong: accidentalyRight: accidentally
A way to remember it
Think "accidental" first, then add "ly". If you can hear the "tal", you will not forget the al.
Accidentally in syllables
ac · ci · den · tal · ly
Accidentally has 5 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
I accidentally stepped on my brother's toy car.
Accidentally on the statutory list
Accidentally is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as accident(ally). Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with accidentally, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ly ending
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as accidentally.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is accidently ever correct?
No. Accidently is a common mistake. The word is accidental + ly, so it always has -ally, like incidentally.
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