Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

It's optional
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's optional," Mr. Miner said.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's optional to provide the following info.

Academia

Stanford University

It's optional on the 2.0 units, which otherwise get a much less impressive six-speed manual.

News & Media

Independent

(It's optional, although few are likely to turn this feature off, except possibly ad executives).

News & Media

The New York Times - Tech

It's optional — the company, the parent writes, has a policy that no one need travel who doesn't wish to do so.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's optional, which means that service providers who don't see Microsoft as a marketing plus can skip it.

News & Media

Forbes

It's optional as sabzi-khordan but it is used in great abundance in many stews and stuffings.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

It's optional, but a lot of people are already doing it — posting selfies and starting conversations on social media.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

It's optional.

Wiki

WikiHow

It's optional but recommended.

Wiki

WikiHow

It's optional, but it's tasty!

Wiki

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal documents, consider using the full form "It is optional" or synonyms like "at your discretion" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Do not label a step as "optional" if skipping it would negatively impact the quality of the result or if the task is highly expected but not technically forced. Instead, use a phrase like "highly recommended" to provide better guidance.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

This phrase serves as a predicative adjective construction, where the pronoun "it" acts as a dummy subject or refers to a previously mentioned noun, followed by the linking verb "is" (contracted as "'s") and the adjective "optional". According to Ludwig, this structure is a standard way to modify the status of a specific requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki & Instructions

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

Science

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "It's optional" is a highly versatile and grammatically standard way to signal that a specific action or piece of information is not a requirement. Analysis by Ludwig AI shows that it is used across a vast spectrum of contexts—from technical car reviews in the Independent to simple recipes on WikiHow. It is a vital tool for technical writers and journalists to reduce user friction by clarifying priorities. Whether you are filling out a form or following a complex tutorial, the phrase effectively communicates that the power of choice rests with the user.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's not required

The most direct and simple synonymous phrase

It's not mandatory

Focuses directly on the lack of a requirement or law

It is non-compulsory

A slightly more technical way to state it is not required

It is discretionary

More formal and implies that the choice depends on someone's judgment

It's an option

Presents the action as a choice rather than a state

It's voluntary

Suggests that the participation is done by choice or without pay

It is elective

Often used in academic contexts for non-required courses

It's a matter of choice

Emphasizes the individual's freedom to decide

It's up to you

Much more informal and conversational in tone

It is facultative

Used in biology or technical contexts to mean occurring optionally

FAQs

What can I say instead of "It's optional"?

You can use alternatives like "it's not required", "it's voluntary" or "it's discretionary".

How do I use "It's optional" in a professional email?

In a professional setting, you might say "it is at your discretion" or explicitly state that a task is "non-mandatory".

Is it correct to say "It is optional" or "It's optional"?

Both are correct. "It is optional" is more formal and appropriate for reports or official policies, while the contraction "It's optional" is common in instructions and casual writing.

What is the difference between "It's optional" and "It's voluntary"?

While similar, "it's voluntary" often implies a donation of time or personal effort, whereas "It's optional" usually refers to a choice between product features or administrative requirements.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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It's optionalGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

It's optional
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples