arbitrarily chosen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arbitrarily chosen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been selected without any specific criteria or reason. Example: "The samples were arbitrarily chosen from the population to ensure a diverse representation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Samples were arbitrarily chosen from the previous study13.

Nature

But here are a few current and arbitrarily chosen examples.

The New York Times

Biomimetic leg designs often appear to be arbitrarily chosen.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

You are comparing a specialised academic institution to an arbitrarily chosen group of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hanging out means you can show up or not at somewhat arbitrarily chosen times.

The New York Times

Absolute internal time is measured as an offset from an arbitrarily chosen, implementation-dependent base.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Let be arbitrarily chosen.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Let P be an arbitrarily chosen concept.

SEP

720p is, however arbitrarily chosen, the standard.

TechCrunch

(iii) Let be arbitrarily chosen.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

To prove this, let be arbitrarily chosen.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arbitrarily chosen", ensure the context clearly indicates that the selection was made without a specific or justifiable reason. This can help avoid confusion and ensure the intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "arbitrarily chosen" in situations where the selection process, even if lacking strict criteria, still involves a degree of reasoned consideration or expert judgement. Using a phrase like "selected based on preliminary findings" may be more accurate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arbitrarily chosen" functions as a past participle phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies has been selected or determined without any specific or predetermined criteria. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arbitrarily chosen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a selection made without specific reasons or criteria. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples confirms its correct usage across diverse fields, especially in scientific and news contexts. It's important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring that the context genuinely reflects a selection process lacking predefined rationale to avoid misinterpretations. While alternatives like ""randomly selected"" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. Overall, "arbitrarily chosen" serves as a valuable tool for accurately describing selections made without bias or specific justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chosen at random

A more concise and common way to express the same idea of selecting without a specific method.

Randomly selected

Emphasizes the lack of a specific pattern or method in the selection process.

By chance selected

Focuses on the element of luck or randomness in the selection.

Haphazardly picked

Suggests a careless or unplanned manner of selection.

Without specific criteria

Highlights the absence of defined standards in the choice.

Unsystematically picked

Highlights the lack of an organized or structured approach.

Subjectively decided

Indicates the choice was based on personal feelings or opinions rather than objective facts.

Indiscriminately chosen

Implies that no distinction was made during the selection process.

Without rationale selected

Emphasizes the absence of a logical explanation or reason.

On a whim selected

Suggests the decision was impulsive and without forethought.

FAQs

How can I use "arbitrarily chosen" in a sentence?

You can use "arbitrarily chosen" to describe selections made without a specific reason, like: "The samples were "randomly selected", or the parameters were "subjectively decided"".

What are some alternatives to "arbitrarily chosen"?

Alternatives include "randomly selected", "haphazardly picked", or "chosen at random", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "arbitrarily chosen" in formal writing?

Yes, "arbitrarily chosen" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where it's important to emphasize the absence of bias or pre-selection criteria. However, in some business contexts, "randomly selected" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "arbitrarily chosen" and "deliberately chosen"?

"Arbitrarily chosen" implies a selection made without specific rationale or criteria, while "deliberately chosen" indicates a conscious decision based on specific reasons or intentions. They represent opposite approaches to selection.