impulsively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impulsively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions taken suddenly and without careful thought or consideration. Example: "She impulsively decided to buy the expensive dress without checking her budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a long-time former head of Saudi intelligence, explained recently in Washington that the Saudis feel "a high level of disappointment in the US government's dealings," noting pointedly that "we never act impulsively".Some suspect that the Saudis, by rejecting the UN council seat, intend not to revert into shyness, but to adopt a more aggressive regional role.

The Economist

Advocating constructive intervention and dissuading America from acting impulsively to avoid adding to "the very sectarian divide that it wants to narrow" is worthwhile.

The Economist

It is entirely probable that Australians want their troops to stay in Iraq for the time being, mainly to help the Iraqis restore their lives rather than to shore up a relationship with Washington that many feel has grown a bit too deferential under Mr Howard.For his part, Mr Latham risks being cast as a leader impulsively reacting to events.

The Economist

Mr Aquino himself still carries a bullet, along with his guilt.Mr Aquino, president himself since 2010, recently recounted this incident to The Economist, to explain the lesson he took from it: not to act impulsively.

The Economist

She greeted me cautiously; I smiled faintly at her and decided to sit on the other side of the room .The plucky Williams, a former health-care assistant who worked with learning-disabled patients, impulsively decided to take up work in a hospital morgue in Gloucestershire.

The Economist

Yet his most popular, and profitable, works were impulsively tossed off: "Treasure Island" began as a map he painted for his stepson one rainy day, followed within days by chapters serialised in a children's paper, Young Folk.

The Economist

On top of all this, some Liberal Democrat MPs, cross that the party is seen as impulsively pro-Brussels, are reportedly urging their leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, to back a referendum.In this section Can Gordon fix the National Health Service?

The Economist

She had visited many islands impulsively, she says, before understanding the common thread: their simplified ecology exposes "the delicate balance of living communities and the consequences of the ways we exploit or nurture our own little island, Earth .Like coral reefs, she argues, the earth itself is a delicate island ecosystem in peril.

The Economist

These include pill bottles that glow when they have been neglected, and savings cards displayed near supermarket tills, like lottery tickets, but which transfer the money impulsively "spent" on them into the person's savings account.Some of these practical antidotes are not new.

The Economist

He makes decisions impulsively and circumvents institutions that might check his whim.In this section Who really runs Pakistan?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

At his peak he was one of television's most bankable stars, had a multimillion-pound contract, a mansion and an impulsively-bought collection of 17 luxury cars.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing decisions, use "impulsively" to convey spontaneity and a lack of planning. For example, "She impulsively decided to travel to Europe."

Common error

Avoid using "impulsively" when "compulsively" is more appropriate. "Impulsively" means acting on a sudden urge, while "compulsively" means acting on an irresistible, often repetitive urge. For instance, "He compulsively checked the locks" is different from "He impulsively bought a new car".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impulsively" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe how an action is performed. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates that something is done in an impulsive manner, without forethought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impulsively" functions as an adverb that describes actions performed suddenly and without careful consideration. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While interchangeable with terms like "spontaneously" or "on impulse", it's important to distinguish it from "compulsively", which describes actions driven by irresistible urges. When writing, using "impulsively" can effectively convey spontaneity and a lack of pre-planning in decision-making or behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spontaneously

Highlights the sudden and unplanned nature of the action, focusing on its origination from an internal urge.

on impulse

Emphasizes that the action was driven by a sudden desire or urge, acting without prior planning.

without thinking

Focuses on the lack of conscious deliberation before the action was taken.

unpremeditatedly

Stresses the absence of prior planning or intent in the action.

extemporaneously

Suggests the action was done without any preparation or rehearsal.

headlong

Implies rushing into something without considering the consequences.

recklessly

Indicates a disregard for potential dangers or negative outcomes.

hastily

Focuses on the speed and lack of thoroughness in performing the action.

rashly

Implies making a decision or acting with undue speed and without proper consideration.

intuitively

Suggests the action was based on instinct or a gut feeling, rather than reasoned thought.

FAQs

How can I use "impulsively" in a sentence?

Use "impulsively" to describe an action done suddenly and without planning. For example, "He "impulsively bought" a plane ticket" or "She "impulsively decided" to quit her job".

What's the difference between "impulsively" and "spontaneously"?

"Impulsively" implies a lack of thought and potential recklessness, while "spontaneously" suggests a natural, unplanned action. You might "spontaneously sing" in the shower, but "impulsively gamble" away your savings.

Which is correct, "acting impulsively" or "acting impulsive"?

"Acting impulsively" is correct because "impulsively" is an adverb modifying the verb "acting". "Impulsive" is an adjective; you can say "He is an impulsive person".

What can I say instead of "impulsively"?

You can use alternatives like "spontaneously", "on impulse", or "without thinking" depending on the context.