I willfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I willfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action was done intentionally or with a deliberate mindset. Example: "I willfully chose to ignore the warnings and proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Did I willfully withhold it?

The Guardian

Of course my son cares about Auntie but I willfully choose to take him at his silly word and have a fight about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(I'll be the one who finally shuts it down -- ha!) The second time around, I willfully removed the critical half of my hat and sought only the pleasures that have been so evident to many.

The New York Times

"I've often said to myself, 'Of all the free advice that I willfully dispense to people, I'd like to take some of it back.' It's a lot harder than it looks".

The New York Times

Frequently alone now, do I tell my surgeon that I willfully disobeyed his instructions to maintain my well-being and self-sufficiency, or do I point out to him that I was discharged from the hospital without adequate discharge planning and before I was able to manage on my own?

The New York Times

I willfully, some might say foolishly, choose to live more than a fair distance from VICE's London office.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Now I understood how much I'd willfully overlooked.

Vice

"I say to a chairman that I respect, that I believe has been fair and been good to me, I did willfully violate the chair's rule on the committee confidential process".

Vice

I was being willfully na��ve, I suppose, pretending like I didn't know what was happening.

Vice

As a former professional dominatrix, I have willfully hurt a lot of people (albeit in my more callous early 20s).

The New York Times

"I knowingly, willfully and corruptly agreed to accept and did accept, cash bribes," he said in Federal Court in Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I willfully" to clearly convey that an action was performed with conscious intent and a degree of determination. It's stronger than simply saying "I did it".

Common error

Avoid using "I willfully" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even pompous in everyday settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I intentionally" or "I chose to" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I willfully" functions as a declaration of intent, modifying a verb to emphasize that an action was performed consciously and deliberately. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I willfully" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to convey that an action was performed with conscious intention. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While it finds common ground in "News & Media" contexts, "I willfully" may sound too formal in certain informal settings. Therefore, it's advisable to consider your audience and purpose before using the expression, and eventually use one of the available alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I intentionally

Focuses on the deliberate nature of the action.

I deliberately

Highlights the careful consideration involved in the action.

I consciously

Emphasizes awareness and intent behind the action.

I purposefully

Indicates a clear aim or goal motivating the action.

I knowingly

Stresses that the action was performed with full knowledge of the facts.

I voluntarily

Highlights the free will and lack of coercion in the action.

I willingly

Emphasizes the readiness and eagerness with which the action was undertaken.

I by choice

Focuses on the element of personal selection and preference.

I of my own accord

Indicates that the action was initiated independently, without external influence.

I on purpose

A more informal way of emphasizing that something was done intentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "I willfully" in a sentence?

You can use "I willfully" to express that you are consciously and intentionally doing something. For instance, "I willfully ignored the warnings" indicates a deliberate decision to disregard advice.

What phrases are similar to "I willfully"?

Alternatives to "I willfully" include phrases such as "I intentionally", "I deliberately", or "I knowingly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "I willfully" and "I intentionally"?

While both phrases indicate a deliberate action, "I willfully" often implies a stronger sense of purpose or determination than "I intentionally". "Willfully" can suggest that the action was done despite potential consequences or resistance.

When is it appropriate to use "I willfully" in writing?

"I willfully" is suitable in formal writing, legal contexts, or when you want to emphasize the deliberate and intentional nature of an action. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "I chose to" may be more appropriate.