What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accident
Example
The car accident caused a lot of damage. [accident: noun]
Example
I accidentally spilled coffee on my shirt this morning. [accidentally: adverb]
mishandling
Example
The package was damaged due to mishandling during shipping. [mishandling: noun]
Example
She was accused of mishandling company funds. [mishandling: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accident is a more common word than mishandling in everyday language. Accident covers a wider range of contexts and can refer to various types of unexpected events, while mishandling is more specific and often used in professional or legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between accident and mishandling?
Mishandling is generally considered a more formal word than accident. It is often used in professional or legal contexts to describe situations where there is some level of responsibility or fault involved.