by whim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by whim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions taken impulsively or without a specific reason, often based on a sudden desire or fancy. Example: "She decided to travel to Paris by whim, booking her flight just a few hours before departure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He demands personal loyalty, refuses to abide dissent and rules by whim.

The Washington Post

The next day, they wake at dawn, as per their original plan: to start every day at sunup and navigate by whim.

The New Yorker

__ The next day, they wake at dawn, as per their original plan: to start every day at sunup and navigate by whim.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mnuchin has managed to remain in Mr. Trump's good stead by rolling with the punches, avoiding the fate that has befallen Mr. Trump's campaign managers, chiefs of staff and cabinet secretaries by pleasing a president who prizes the unpredictable and governs by whim.

The New York Times

Its taxes fell heavily on the poor, its aristocrats had undeserved privileges, and its monarchs had ruled by whim.

SEP

You don't just legislate by whim.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Bureaucracy develops, Merton wrote, because large organizations require rules and procedures, lest they fall into the administrative and financial chaos and governance-by-whim of the kind that brought down William Durant.

The New Yorker

It's a subjective undertaking, guided partly by whims, current preoccupations and you-have-to-include-this mandates from friends.

The New York Times

When you live by whims of demolition and donation, you end up with a pretty eclectic and unpredictable product mix.

The New York Times

What I want to dispense with is the idea that there's something natural about the term 'nature.' " Its true meaning, both men agree, has been degraded by whims of self-interest and the sharp turns of history.

Duke University

He is erratic and deluded, driven by whims and rage, increasingly isolated from reality, addicted to propaganda, tainted by foreign money and willing to sacrifice anything to protect himself from the consequences of his actions.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by whim" to convey that a decision or action was made impulsively, without careful consideration or planning. It adds a sense of spontaneity or unpredictability.

Common error

While both phrases convey spontaneity, "by whim" typically describes the manner in which something is done, whereas "on a whim" is often used adverbially to mean 'impulsively'. Ensure you're using the correct preposition to match your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by whim" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in characterizing governance, decision-making, and even travel planning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by whim" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe actions driven by impulse rather than planning. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, though less frequent in formal settings. It is important to understand how it is different than other alternatives such as "on a whim", and in general it should be used in neutral to informal contexts.

While not overly common, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post demonstrates its validity. Understanding the potential for confusion with similar phrases and choosing the right context ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on impulse

Emphasizes the sudden urge that prompts the action.

spontaneously

Focuses on the unplanned and natural quality of the action.

capriciously

Highlights the unpredictable and whimsical nature of the decision.

arbitrarily

Stresses the lack of a rational basis for the action.

without reason

Directly states the absence of a logical explanation.

out of the blue

Implies that the action was unexpected and sudden.

on a lark

Suggests the action was undertaken for fun or amusement.

without forethought

Emphasizes the lack of planning or consideration.

at random

Highlights the chance or haphazard nature of the selection.

as the mood strikes

Indicates that the action is dependent on one's current feeling.

FAQs

What does "by whim" mean?

The phrase "by whim" means doing something based on a sudden desire or impulse rather than careful planning or reasoning. It indicates a spontaneous or arbitrary action.

How can I use "by whim" in a sentence?

You can use "by whim" to describe how a decision was made, such as "The route was chosen "on impulse"" or "He governs "arbitrarily"".

What's the difference between "by whim" and "on a whim"?

"By whim" specifies that something is done according to a spontaneous desire, while "on a whim" acts as an adverb, meaning impulsively. For instance, "He decided by whim" versus "He decided "spontaneously"".

Are there situations where using "by whim" might not be appropriate?

Yes, in formal or professional contexts where decisions are expected to be carefully considered and rational, using "by whim" may suggest a lack of seriousness or due diligence. Consider more formal terms like '"without forethought"' or '"arbitrarily"' depending on the meaning you want to convey.