at your will

USAGE SUMMARY

"at your will" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely suggest that someone take a particular action if and when they choose. For example: "We can arrange for a courier to deliver the package, at your will."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

You will have to put yourself under discipline: to eat by rule, to avoid cakes and sweetmeats; to take exercise at the appointed hour whether you like it or not, in cold and heat; to abstain from cold drinks and from wine at your will; in a word, to give yourself over to the trainer as to a physician.

The Economist

The service is also integrated with text messaging if email grates away at your will to live like it does me.

TechCrunch

Also, don't forget to turn off geotagging, which is a small location pin that can be found on your status bar and within Instant Messenger that you can enable or disable at your will.

BBC

Look at your will; if it funds a bypass trust up to the full federal exemption (as opposed to a set amount), your spouse could be left with nothing outside the trust.

Forbes

A person who's living in the apartment and is not on the lease is there only at your will, basically.

Vice

Start the game and use your hacks at your will.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A service you will no longer use, like the Internet at your house, will become your wife's responsibility.

WikiHow

And no one at your party will be able to tell he doesn't know who you are".

The New Yorker

Last but not least, looking at your playscript will allow you to better communicate with your workforce.

Forbes

When you do this, think about how long excelling at your priorities will take.

Huffington Post

Whether or not this future ever arrives at your doorstep will be up to you.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at your will" to politely grant someone the freedom to act according to their own judgment or desires in a specific situation.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "at your will" in extremely formal contexts where even more deferential language might be expected. Consider alternatives like "as you deem appropriate" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at your will" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It suggests that the action is done according to one's own discretion or desire, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

44%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at your will" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that suggests someone is free to act according to their own judgment or desire. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While moderately formal, it appears across various contexts, including Wiki and News & Media sources. Alternatives include "as you wish" and "at your discretion". The primary function of the phrase is to grant permission or express allowance for autonomous action, reflecting a neutral level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as you wish

Implies a similar level of autonomy and permission, but may carry a slightly more submissive tone.

at your discretion

Focuses more on the aspect of judgment and decision-making being left to the other person.

if you please

A more formal and polite way of indicating that the action is up to the other person.

as you see fit

Emphasizes the idea of acting in accordance with one's own assessment of the situation.

according to your preferences

Highlights the alignment with personal tastes and desires.

at your convenience

Focuses on the timing and suitability of the action for the other person.

by your own choice

Highlights that the decision comes from the other person and that is not imposed by others.

of your own volition

Stresses the voluntary and unprompted nature of the action.

if you so desire

A more emphatic way of saying "if you want", often used in formal contexts.

as you desire

Directly correlates the action with the other person's wants, wishes or demands.

FAQs

How can I use "at your will" in a sentence?

You can use "at your will" to indicate that someone has the freedom to act according to their own desires or judgment. For example, "You may leave "as you wish", or stay "at your will".

What are some alternatives to "at your will"?

Some alternatives to "at your will" include "as you wish", "at your discretion", and "as you see fit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "at your will" formal or informal?

"At your will" is generally considered to be moderately formal. While usable in many situations, extremely formal settings may require even more deferential language. Consider "as you deem appropriate" in these contexts.

What is the nuance between "at your will" and "as you wish"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "at your will" carries a slightly more formal tone and implies granting freedom of action. "As you wish" can sometimes imply a hint of resignation or indifference, depending on the context.