against our will

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "against our will" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is done without consent or against someone's desire. Example: "The decision to relocate the office was made against our will, leaving many employees feeling unsettled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was called "Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape".

The New Yorker

"I thought I'd be more popular with men!" she says of the publication of Against Our Will.

The Guardian - Opinion

She includes scenes of on-air debates between Hefner and author Susan Brownmiller (Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape) and contemporary interviews with Brownmiller herself.

Huffington Post

In 1975, American journalist Susan Brownmiller published a book about rape called Against Our Will.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one is against our will".

The New York Times

Everything is floating away from us against our will.

The New Yorker

"We were dissidents against our will," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Against our will, the blockade is over," he said.

The New York Times

Levin is especially adept at capturing the way we sometimes change against our will.

The New York Times - Books

Still, permissive parents occasionally turn us into New York's Finest against our will.

The New York Times

That way Scotland couldn't be forced out of the European Union against our will".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "against our will", ensure the context clearly indicates who is being acted upon and that the lack of consent or desire is explicit. For example, "The new policy was implemented "against our will", leading to widespread dissatisfaction among employees."

Common error

Avoid using "against our will" when there's only mild disagreement or preference. This phrase implies significant opposition or lack of consent, not just a slight preference for a different outcome. Using gentler terms may be more accurate for minor disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against our 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 consent or desire of the affected party. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "against our will" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey a lack of consent or opposition to an action. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, expressing that something is done involuntarily or in defiance of one's desires. It is frequently found in news and media, indicating a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates who is being acted upon and that the opposition is explicit. Be mindful not to use it in situations where there's only mild disagreement, as it implies a significant level of resistance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without our consent

This alternative directly points to the absence of permission or agreement.

involuntarily

This single word describes the action as not being done by one's own free will.

without our volition

This phrase indicates the absence of conscious decision or willingness.

contrary to our desires

This option highlights the conflict with personal desires or preferences.

not by our choice

This alternative simplifies the concept to a lack of personal selection or preference.

in defiance of our wishes

This alternative emphasizes a direct contradiction of what is desired.

despite our protests

Emphasizes vocal dissent that did not prevent the action.

in spite of our objections

This phrase stresses the existence of voiced opposition that was ignored.

in opposition to our intentions

Highlights conflicting intentions and the imposition of an alternative course.

under duress

This option implies coercion or pressure leading to involuntary action.

FAQs

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

Use "against our will" to describe situations where actions are imposed on a group or individual despite their opposition or lack of consent. For example, "We were forced to accept the changes "against our will".

What can I say instead of "against our will"?

You can use alternatives like "without our consent", "contrary to our desires", or "involuntarily" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "contrary to our wishes" or "against our will"?

"Against our will" emphasizes a stronger sense of opposition or lack of consent, whereas "contrary to our wishes" may indicate a milder preference. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intensity of the disagreement.

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

"Against our will" means something happened despite our opposition, while "without our knowledge" means something happened secretly, and we were unaware of it. The former implies resistance, the latter, unawareness.