What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collision
Example
The collision between the two cars caused significant damage. [collision: noun]
Example
The soccer players collided while going for the ball. [collided: past tense verb]
accident
Example
He had an accident while riding his bike and broke his arm. [accident: noun]
Example
I accidentally spilled coffee on my shirt this morning. [accidentally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accident is more commonly used than collision in everyday language. Accident is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe unexpected events, while collision is more specific and commonly used in the context of crashes or impacts between vehicles or objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collision and accident?
While collision has a more technical or formal connotation, accident is a more common and everyday term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
