against his will

USAGE SUMMARY

"against his will" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is done without a person's consent or desire. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a situation where someone is forced to do something they do not want to do, or when someone is going against their own desires or intentions. Example: The prisoner was taken away from his cell against his will, as he continuously voiced his desire to stay and serve out his sentence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Going against his will was not healthy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He was marooned there against his will.

The Guardian - Opinion

Agrawal is receiving intravenous fluids against his will.

The New York Times

In 1905 he entered an arranged marriage against his will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There he poses against his will as her boyfriend.

The New York Times

You also can't make him tip against his will.

The New York Times - Magazine

The kid must know he's being held against his will".

The Guardian

He is packing up, largely against his will.

The New York Times

He has received a diagnosis of schizophrenia and been hospitalized against his will numerous times.

The New York Times

Much against his will, he found himself in a shop looking for a dignified costume.

The New Yorker

Lewis found himself, almost against his will, plotting out Jackson's future.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "against his will" to clearly convey a lack of consent or desire, especially when describing actions or situations where someone is being forced or coerced.

Common error

Avoid using "against his will" when the situation involves mere disagreement or reluctance. The phrase implies a stronger element of force or compulsion than simple opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against his will" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action occurs without the subject's consent or desire, adding crucial context to the event, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "against his will" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe actions performed without someone's consent or desire. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in various contexts, including news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. It conveys a sense of coercion, opposition, or lack of consent, highlighting that an action contradicts someone's wishes. While generally neutral in register, it can be used in formal contexts as well. Related phrases like "involuntarily", "without consent", and "under duress" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the situation genuinely involves force or compulsion, rather than mere disagreement. The phrase is a valuable tool for clearly and accurately conveying a lack of consent or desire in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against his wishes

Directly opposes what the person desires.

involuntarily

Focuses on the lack of voluntary action.

contrary to his desire

Indicates a conflict with the person's preference.

unwillingly

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or reluctance.

without consent

Emphasizes the absence of permission.

not by choice

Simply denies the element of free will.

under duress

Highlights the presence of coercion or pressure.

compelled to

Highlights the feeling of obligation or necessity.

under compulsion

Emphasizes the state of being forced.

by force

Stresses the use of physical power or compulsion.

FAQs

How can I use "against his will" in a sentence?

The phrase "against his will" describes an action taken without someone's consent or desire. For example: "He was taken to the hospital "against his will"."

What are some alternatives to saying "against his will"?

You can use alternatives like "involuntarily", "without consent", or "under duress" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "against their will"?

Yes, "against their will" is grammatically correct. It's simply the plural form of "against his will" and is used when referring to multiple people.

What's the difference between "against his will" and "without his knowledge"?

"Against his will" means something is done despite his opposition, while "without his knowledge" means he is unaware of it. Something can be done without his knowledge but not "against his will", and vice versa.