Brent’s answer to “Why do you keep using the (recent parlance) phrase 'on accident' throughout The Bliding Knife, rath…” > Likes and Comments

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message 1: by Belial (new)

Belial Tempter That doesn't excuse using "on accident" in a fantasy novel. This isn't about clinging to grammar rules for their own sake. It's about tone and immersion. "On accident" is jarring, modern, and very region-specific. It sounds like something a kid from suburban America would say, not something that belongs in a carefully built fantasy world.

You're writing for a global audience, many of whom find that phrase not just unusual but grating. "By accident" is neutral, familiar, and doesn't pull readers out of the story. "On accident" does, - repeatedly. Language may evolve, but good writing is also about knowing what not to include if it breaks the reader’s flow.


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