out of choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of choice" is commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to mean that a person has chosen to do something of their own free will. For example, "I decided to take a gap year out of choice, not because I had to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't out of choice.

The New York Times - Arts

"But I live alone, out of choice".

The New Yorker

Sometimes, it's adopted out of choice.

The Guardian - Music

Women take the pill out of choice.

The Guardian

Not out of choice, but out of necessity.

The New York Times

Tonight I may open another pack out of choice.

Independent

I continued to stare, but this time out of choice.

The Guardian - Arts

Teenagers are reading these books out of choice.

The Guardian

They are not environmentalists out of choice, but out of necessity.

Columbia University

So on one hand, you can say, everybody's working out of choice.

Cornell University

Those who are embracing religion nowadays are doing so out of choice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of choice" to clearly indicate that a decision or action was made freely and willingly, rather than due to external pressure or necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "out of choice" when you mean someone had no other option. Ensure the context demonstrates a genuine, voluntary decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of choice" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb or clause, indicating the reason or motivation behind an action. It specifies that something was done voluntarily rather than due to compulsion or necessity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of choice" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a voluntary decision or action, differentiating it from actions driven by necessity or obligation. Ludwig AI and the provided examples confirm its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. It serves to highlight autonomy and is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. The phrase's neutral register and consistent usage make it a reliable and versatile component of English vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by choice

Shortened version, maintaining the core meaning of voluntary selection.

by personal preference

Focuses on the individual's liking or inclination as the reason for the action.

of one's own volition

Emphasizes the voluntary nature of the action, highlighting that it was not forced.

through free will

Highlights the role of individual autonomy in making the decision.

on a voluntary basis

Suggests participation or involvement is not mandatory.

voluntarily

An adverbial form expressing the action was done willingly.

by one's own election

Implies a conscious decision to select a particular option.

according to one's desire

Highlights the influence of personal wants and aspirations.

as a matter of personal election

Emphasizes the personal nature and conscious selection involved.

at one's discretion

Indicates the decision is based on individual judgment and authority.

FAQs

How can I use "out of choice" in a sentence?

Use "out of choice" to indicate a decision was made voluntarily, such as, "She attended the seminar "out of choice", not because it was required".

What's a simple synonym for "out of choice"?

A simple synonym is "by choice", which directly conveys the same meaning of voluntary selection.

Is it ever wrong to use "out of choice"?

It's inappropriate to use "out of choice" when describing situations where there was no real option or alternative available. For example, saying someone acted "out of choice" when they were forced is incorrect.

What's the difference between "out of choice" and "out of necessity"?

"Out of choice" implies a voluntary action, while "out of necessity" indicates action taken because there is no other option. They are antonyms.