not by choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not by choice" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something was done or experienced unwillingly or against one's preference. It can be used in various contexts to describe a situation where someone did not have control over the outcome. Example 1: "I ended up at this job, not by choice, but because I needed the money." Example 2: "She was forced to move to a different country, not by choice, but because her parents were relocating." Example 3: "He was placed in foster care, not by choice, but because his parents were unable to care for him." Example 4: "The movie was not successful at the box office, not by choice, but due to poor marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet not by choice.

The Economist

but not by choice".

The New York Times

It's not by choice.

The New York Times - Sports

And not by choice.

The New York Times

It was not by choice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not by choice but by necessity.

The New York Times

The former, said Mr. Lovell, left, but not by choice.

The New York Times

Aren't you Irish?" He answered, "Not by choice, you know.

The New Yorker

I did not move, either, but not by choice.

The New Yorker

Not by choice but by some trick of nature.

The Guardian

We'd never really done that, not by choice".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "not by choice" adds a nuance of regret or resignation to a situation. Ensure this emotional tone aligns with your overall writing objective. For instance, stating "I became a vegan, "not by choice", but due to health reasons" implies a sense of reluctant acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "not by choice" when the lack of choice is already inherently obvious. For example, saying "The sun rises every day, "not by choice"" is redundant as the sun's behavior is not subject to volition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not by choice" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that an action or state occurred involuntarily. The phrase adds emphasis to the lack of volition, indicating the subject was compelled by external forces or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not by choice" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase indicating a lack of voluntary action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in news and media to convey situations imposed upon individuals or entities, highlighting a sense of resignation or constraint. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to ensure its use adds meaningful context and avoids redundancy. Alternatives such as "involuntarily" or "by necessity" can offer similar nuances depending on the intended meaning. It's a common phrase, as confirmed by the many examples available in Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involuntarily

This adverb directly indicates that an action is performed against one's will.

against one's will

This phrase emphasizes the opposition to one's desires or preferences.

under duress

Highlights that something is done because of threats or coercion.

by necessity

Indicates action is driven by unavoidable circumstances.

due to circumstances

Emphasizes that external conditions forced a particular outcome.

out of obligation

Suggests actions driven by a sense of duty rather than personal desire.

compulsorily

Highlights the required nature of an action, removing the element of choice.

without volition

Directly states the absence of free will in the action or situation.

unwillingly

Emphasizes reluctance in performing an action.

under compulsion

Focuses on the external pressure forcing a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "not by choice" in a sentence?

Use "not by choice" to indicate that an action or situation was imposed, rather than freely chosen. For example, "He became a refugee, "not by choice", but due to the war".

What are some alternatives to "not by choice"?

You can use alternatives like "involuntarily", "against one's will", or "by necessity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "not by choice" if the lack of choice is already implied?

Yes, using "not by choice" can be redundant if the absence of a voluntary decision is already clear from the context. In such cases, it's best to omit the phrase for conciseness.

What is the difference between "not by choice" and "not by default"?

"Not by choice" implies a lack of voluntary decision, whereas "not by default" suggests that something happened as a consequence of inaction or the absence of a better alternative. For example: "He inherited the position "not by choice", but because no one else wanted it", against "He inherited the position not by default, he was just the only candidate".