act wilfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act wilfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is intentionally doing something, often with a negative connotation, such as disregarding rules or consequences. Example: "The defendant was found to act wilfully in violation of the safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For one thing, to refuse may not be to act "wilfully".

The Guardian

China will certainly not sit idly by and watch North Korea act wilfully and slide into the abyss of war.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Berwick recommended new criminal penalties for "leaders who have acted wilfully, recklessly, or with a 'couldn't care less' attitude and whose behaviour causes avoidable death or serious harm".

The Guardian

Garrett also called on the BBC to investigate further his belief that "certain individuals acted wilfully to subvert governance processes and falsify value propositions so as to deceive the various governance panels".

The Guardian

After a months-long investigation, officials said they could not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that two white officers acted wilfully to deprive the shooting victim, Jamar Clark, of his constitutional rights, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger said at a news conference.

Huffington Post

Schools, he points out, must take insurances against liability, but "if they acted very wilfully and deceitfully, and committed a crime, they might be [liable] because insurance has certain limits".

The Guardian

You have to camp in an on-trend tent, dress like you're on stage, dine at the most "authentic" street food stalls, sip the correct craft ale and catch the most wilfully obscure acts - smugly documenting all the above on social media.

The Guardian

If a journalist is told to move and refuses then they may be arrested for an offence under section 89 of the Police Act 1996 for resisting or wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his or her duty.

The Guardian

The act makes it an offence "to wilfully ride on the footway", with only certain vehicles used by disabled drivers being exempt.

Independent

It felt at times that Cameron was summarising Chilcot with half an eye on his own legacy and with a sympathetic ear to Blair's tired self-exculpation – the claim to have acted in good faith; not to have wilfully deceived the nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prosecutions were pursued privately by the council under Section 178 of the Town and Country Planning Act in which it as an "offence to wilfully obstruct" a local planning authority taking enforcement action.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "act wilfully" when you want to emphasize the intentional and often negative nature of an action. It suggests a conscious decision to disregard rules or expected behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "act wilfully" in situations where the action is simply intentional without a negative connotation. Opt for phrases like "act intentionally" or "act deliberately" in neutral contexts to avoid unintended implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act wilfully" functions as a verb phrase with an adverb, indicating a manner of performing an action. It modifies the verb to specify that the action is carried out intentionally and often with a disregard for rules or consequences. As Ludwig AI suggests, it often carries a negative connotation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "act wilfully" describes an intentional action, often with a negative implication of disregarding rules or expected behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its usage is relatively rare, primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the formality of the situation and whether the negative connotation aligns with your intended meaning. Alternatives such as "act intentionally" or "act deliberately" may be more appropriate in neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

act intentionally

Focuses on the intention behind the action, removing the implication of wrongdoing.

act deliberately

Highlights the calculated nature of the action, implying careful consideration.

act purposely

Emphasizes the presence of a specific goal or aim guiding the action.

act consciously

Stresses awareness and understanding during the action, implying a lack of accident.

act by design

Implies that the action was planned or orchestrated.

act with malice

Adds a strong negative connotation, suggesting the action was driven by ill will.

act in bad faith

Suggests dishonesty or a breach of trust in the action.

act wantonly

Highlights the recklessness and disregard for consequences in the action.

act perversely

Emphasizes the contrarian or defiant nature of the action.

act obstinately

Focuses on the stubborn refusal to change course, despite opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "act wilfully" in a sentence?

You can use "act wilfully" to describe someone intentionally doing something wrong or against the rules. For example, "The company was accused of acting wilfully in violating environmental regulations."

What's the difference between "act wilfully" and "act intentionally"?

"Act intentionally" simply means doing something on purpose. "Act wilfully" /s/act+wilfully, on the other hand, implies a deliberate decision to do something wrong or disobedient.

What can I say instead of "act wilfully"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "act deliberately", "act intentionally", or "act in bad faith".

Is "act wilfully" formal or informal language?

"Act wilfully" is considered relatively formal and is often used in legal or official contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.