at their option

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their option" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a choice or decision is left to the discretion of the person or group mentioned. Example: "The company may choose to extend the contract at their option, depending on performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Instead, the candidate was Representative Shelley Moore Capito, sticking to the script from Republican campaign headquarters, even though she favors letting younger workers "at their option" invest some of their Social Security taxes in accounts they would control.

The New York Times

The Overall Winner will have the choice of a double or twin room at their option.

The Guardian - Travel

The winner may, at their option, gift their prize to another person provided that the person who the gift is for is a UK resident.

The Guardian - Money

Under the Australian consumer law, consumers can insist on a refund or replacement at their option if a product has a major fault".

The Guardian - Tech

In its court filing, lawyers for Bank Julius Baer wrote that the bank "may, at their option, later pursue their claims, including in an alternate court, jurisdiction or venue".

The New York Times

If you use S-video or component cables instead, you may see only 25percentt of the resolution you're supposed to get — a maddening antipiracy feature that the studios can invoke at their option.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

As a result, plenty of customers will be looking at their options.

The New York Times

"They will now be standing back and looking at their options," said a person close to the collapsed deal, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and the Magic are looking at their options to get some value out of Howard before he leaves.

The New York Times

The Hackney Empire in east London will close in January for at least nine months as its cash-strapped owners look at their options, while in nearby Whitechapel, Wilton's Music Hall will physically collapse unless substantial rebuilding funds are found.

The Guardian

Ms. Lyons of the public utilities control office said regulators are convinced that as the process moves forward, more people will look at their options, and there is still almost three years before the complete end of regulation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at their option" when you want to emphasize that a decision or course of action is available to someone but not required. It clearly indicates the power to choose rests with them.

Common error

Avoid using "at their option" when there is a requirement or obligation. The phrase suggests a voluntary choice, not a mandatory action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their option" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating that an action or decision is subject to someone's choice or discretion. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at their option" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that a decision or action is voluntary and left to someone's discretion. Ludwig's analysis and examples demonstrate its frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science domains. While "at their discretion" serves as a more formal alternative, it is important to use this phrase when a genuine choice exists and not when describing mandatory actions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase’s validity, offering writers confidence in its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at their discretion

Replaces "option" with "discretion", emphasizing freedom of judgment.

at their choice

Substitutes "option" with "choice", providing a more direct synonym.

if they choose

Rephrases the concept as a conditional statement emphasizing the act of choosing.

as they prefer

Focuses on preference rather than a formal option.

should they wish

Presents the option as a wish or desire.

if they desire

Replaces "wish" with "desire", keeping the general meaning unchanged.

as they elect

Uses the more formal term "elect" to indicate a deliberate choice.

at their pleasure

Indicates the option is something enjoyable or agreeable to them.

as they deem fit

Implies they will make the decision based on their assessment of the situation.

on their terms

Shifts the focus to the conditions or stipulations they set for making the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "at their option" in a sentence?

Use "at their option" to indicate that someone has the freedom to choose whether to do something. For example, "Employees may enroll in the benefits program "at their option"." It means enrolling is voluntary.

What's a formal alternative to "at their option"?

A more formal alternative to "at their option" is "at their discretion". This phrase also suggests a choice is available but carries a slightly more professional tone.

Is "at their option" interchangeable with "optional for them"?

While similar, "at their option" places emphasis on the person's agency, whereas "optional for them" simply states something is not required. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

How does "at their option" differ from "on their terms"?

"At their option" means they can choose to do something or not, while "on their terms" implies they can set the conditions for doing it. The phrases address different aspects of control.