a voluntary choice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a voluntary choice" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it, for example, in the sentence "Sara made a voluntary choice to pursue a career in the arts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

One counterargument sometimes made against the claim that children can meet the relevant criteria for competence and voluntariness is that while they might appear to be of making a voluntary choice, they can often lack sufficient 'maturity' to make important decisions with long-term implications.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Tianxia is a voluntary choice.

The Economist

This is sometimes a voluntary choice.

The Economist

None of those, says Keegan, was a result of a voluntary choice by the British people.

The Guardian - Books

He claimed some people made a "voluntary choice" to be homeless.

The Guardian

"Soldiers are making a voluntary choice to abuse drugs and alcohol".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

'Hard' paternalism, in contrast, involves interfering with the liberty of an individual in order to promote their interests, despite the fact that the action being interfered with is the result of an informed and voluntary choice by a competent individual.

SEP

To require a person to leave behind all of their property and emigrate in order to avoid giving tacit consent is to create a situation where continued residence is not a free and voluntary choice.

SEP

It is important to emphasize that this situation is not always a free and voluntary choice.

Nature

Although enrollment campaigns were targeted at the poorest sections of the population in rural and in urban areas, the decision of whether to enrol into SP was a family's voluntary choice [ 7].

European Journal of Health Economics

Given an informed and voluntary choice to continue with pregnancy, it seems logical and morally appropriate to afford some protection to the future welfare of the child who will be born.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations where individuals have agency, use "a voluntary choice" to emphasize the autonomy and freedom involved in their decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "a voluntary choice" when you specifically mean an 'informed choice'. "A voluntary choice" simply means the decision was not forced. An 'informed choice' means the person also understood the implications of the choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a voluntary choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It refers to the act of selecting an option freely and without external compulsion. The phrase indicates agency and autonomy in decision-making, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a voluntary choice" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that a decision is made freely and without external pressure. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, reflecting its broad applicability across different contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the emphasis is on the freedom of choice and the absence of coercion, avoiding confusion with concepts like 'informed consent'. Alternatives such as "a willing decision" or "an optional selection" can offer subtle variations in meaning, further refining your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a willing decision

Replaces 'choice' with 'decision' and 'voluntary' with 'willing', emphasizing the readiness of the decision-maker.

an unforced decision

Focuses on the absence of coercion or pressure in making the decision.

an optional selection

Substitutes 'voluntary' with 'optional' and 'choice' with 'selection', highlighting the availability of alternatives.

a free selection

Replaces 'voluntary' with 'free', focusing on the lack of external constraints.

a consensual choice

Emphasizes agreement and permission in making the choice, implying an alignment of wills.

a non-compulsory selection

Highlights the absence of any obligation or requirement to select.

a discretionary decision

Replaces 'voluntary' with 'discretionary', highlighting the power to decide autonomously.

a self-imposed choice

Highlights that the choice originates from within, driven by internal desires or values.

a volitional act

Substitutes 'choice' with 'act', focusing on the process of choosing and the intention behind it.

a self-determined option

Emphasizes independence and control over the option.

FAQs

How can I use "a voluntary choice" in a sentence?

You can use "a voluntary choice" to describe a decision made freely and without coercion. For example, "Participating in the survey is "a voluntary choice", and you can opt out at any time."

What can I say instead of "a voluntary choice"?

Alternatives include "a willing decision", "an optional selection", or "a free selection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a free and voluntary choice"?

While both words emphasize the lack of coercion, using both "free" and "voluntary" can add emphasis and clarity, particularly in legal or formal contexts where leaving no room for ambiguity is crucial. See Ludwig for examples of using "a free selection".

When is it appropriate to use "a voluntary choice" versus "a mandatory choice"?

"A voluntary choice" is appropriate when participation or selection is optional, while "a mandatory choice" implies that participation or selection is required. The opposite of "a voluntary choice" is the "a mandatory choice".