Arbitrarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Arbitrarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions made without a specific reason or system, often implying randomness or lack of consideration. Example: "The rules were applied arbitrarily, leading to confusion among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Assuming vampires only feed once a month ("a highly conservative assumption given any Hollywood vampire film"), and that each time a vampire feasts upon a human their respective populations increase/decrease by 1, a simple geometric progression suggests that vampires would wipe out humans in approximately 2.5 years (assuming arbitrarily that the first vampire appeared in the year 1400).

The Guardian

In his next brace of interviews, Miliband is bound to backtrack by arbitrarily listing recent television programmes and unconvincingly declaring them to be his favourite.

The Guardian

Leaked memos suggested that Whitehall was discreetly considering grisly specifics, such as arbitrarily cutting some disabled adults' stipend, simply because they happened to be young.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, amid worries about whether ministers could arbitrarily interfere in the running of the charter body, Letwin proposed the five-page bill to prevent the government of the day interfering with its constitution.

The Guardian

M. Ravi, a human-rights lawyer representing the challengers, had argued that Section 377(a) arbitrarily distinguished between gay men and women, leaving the former open to incarceration and the latter untouched, but his argument also held no weight for the court.

The Economist

A lot of good work is done by average people".If a large proportion of the workforce doubt the fairness of the grading system, and fear being among an arbitrarily imposed quota of "underperformers", many may try to jump before they are pushed: staff turnover may thus be higher than is desirable.

The Economist

But no one benefits when these are poorly conceived and arbitrarily applied.

The Economist

On July 27th even the Global Times, a usually reliable critic of American behaviour, argued that China should avoid "arbitrarily expanding" the definition of its core interests.

The Economist

Before long, most African countries had leaders who ruled as arbitrarily as traditional chiefs, but were far less accountable.

The Economist

Its sophistication and stealth led Symantec to conclude that it must have been written by a nation-state.In this section Feast and famine The spy who hacked me ReprintsRegin (the arbitrarily chosen name comes from a text string found in the bug's innards) is only the latest in a long line of government-sponsored malware (see table).

The Economist

The trouble is that workers are arbitrarily divided into two classes with different levels of protection and the first to be laid off when jobs must be cut are younger workers on short-term contracts, who may well be of greater value to the firm.Sometimes policies almost seem designed to create unemployment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arbitrarily", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of reasoned decision-making or a random process, enhancing clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "arbitrarily" when you mean "randomly" but the context implies unfairness or injustice. "Arbitrarily" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting decisions are not only without reason but also potentially unfair.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "arbitrarily" modifies verbs or adjectives to indicate that an action or quality is determined by chance, whim, or without any specific rule or reason. As Ludwig confirms, it effectively conveys the absence of a rational basis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "arbitrarily" is used to describe actions or decisions made without a clear rationale or system. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, with numerous examples found primarily in news and media contexts. When employing "arbitrarily", it is essential to consider its potential negative connotation, implying unfairness or a lack of due process. For scenarios where you want to convey a lack of pattern without the negative implication, consider using synonyms such as "randomly". Understanding these nuances ensures you communicate your intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without reason

Directly states the absence of a logical or justifiable basis for the action.

Randomly

Emphasizes the lack of pattern or predictability in the selection or action.

Unpredictably

Stresses the inability to foresee or anticipate the action.

Haphazardly

Highlights the disorganization and lack of planning in the way something is done.

Inconsistently

Highlights the lack of uniformity or regularity in how something is done.

Erraticly

Focuses on the inconsistency and unpredictability of the action.

By chance

Emphasizes the role of luck or coincidence in the event.

Capriciously

Suggests that the action is based on whim or impulse.

Subjectively

Indicates that the action is based on personal feelings or opinions rather than objective facts.

Discretionally

Suggests an action taken based on one's own judgment and choice, potentially without external constraints.

FAQs

How can I use "arbitrarily" in a sentence?

You can use "arbitrarily" to describe actions or decisions made without a clear reason or system. For example: "The selection process seemed completely "arbitrarily" determined."

What's a good alternative to "arbitrarily"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "randomly", "haphazardly", or "capriciously".

Is it correct to say something was "arbitrarily decided"?

Yes, "arbitrarily decided" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a decision made without a rational basis.

What is the difference between "arbitrarily" and "randomly"?

"Randomly" implies a lack of pattern, while "arbitrarily" suggests a decision made without reason or principle, often implying potential unfairness or bias. Although close in meaning, "arbitrarily" can add a more negative nuance.