out of free will

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of free will" is a grammatically correct phrase.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is acting out of their own choice or volition, rather than from a feeling of obligation or coercion. For example, "I decided to donate money to charity out of free will."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It had been six years since he retired as an art teacher, nearly forty since he last painted out of free will.

The New Yorker

Instead, Kant suggests for a federal union, which other political entities would like to join out of free will.

European Journal of Futures Research

If, however, the behavior persists, the individual's family members may summon an expert a geomancer capable of determining if he or she is acting out of free will.

SEP

That points to our ability or inability to act out on our own accord, out of free will.

Huffington Post

It has to be out of free will.

BMC Public Health

The responsibility is less often accepted out of free will.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Cudworth sets out his theory of free will in three treatises on 'Liberty and Necessity', only one of which has been published, and that posthumously – A Treatise of Freewill (1848).

SEP

Instead of working out the problem of free will largely by logical reasoning (which rarely succeeds, since your opponent calls upon the opposite logic), supporters of free will can point to genetics and neuroscience, the very areas that strongly suggest that determinism is at work.

Huffington Post

There is nothing science tells us that rules out this kind of free will.

The Guardian

Incompatibilism is a philosophical thesis about the relevance of determinism to free will: that the truth of determinism rules out the existence of free will.

SEP

Hence, when contemporary philosophers turn their attention to the conditions of moral responsibility in practice, they do not generally set out to establish the conditions of free will.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of free will" when you want to emphasize that an action was performed without any external coercion or obligation. This phrasing is particularly useful in legal, ethical, or philosophical contexts where the voluntary nature of an action is critical.

Common error

Avoid using "out of free will" interchangeably with phrases that imply mere willingness or consent. While willingness suggests agreement, "out of free will" strongly asserts the absence of any pressure or undue influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of free will" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that the action is done voluntarily and without external compulsion. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of free will" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize that an action is performed voluntarily and without any external coercion. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects the absence of pressure and that it's not merely a synonym for willingness. Consider alternatives like "voluntarily" or "of one's own volition" depending on the desired nuance. Despite its relative infrequency, understanding and using "out of free will" correctly enhances clarity and precision in discussions involving ethical considerations, personal choices, and legal ramifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of one's own volition

Highlights the internal impulse or desire driving the action.

by free choice

Reiterates that the decision was made without external constraints.

by one's own accord

Focuses on the action originating from within the person.

voluntarily

Focuses on the act being done willingly.

by one's own choice

Similar to 'by choice', but adds a personal ownership aspect.

willingly

Stresses the readiness and enthusiasm with which the action is performed.

by choice

Emphasizes the act of choosing among alternatives.

autonomously

Highlights the independent and self-governed nature of the action.

without compulsion

Similar to 'uncoerced', emphasizing the lack of obligation.

uncoerced

Highlights the absence of external pressure or force.

FAQs

How can I use "out of free will" in a sentence?

You can use "out of free will" to emphasize that someone is acting according to their own desires and choices, without any external pressure. For example, "She decided to volunteer "of her own volition"."

What's a simpler way to say "out of free will"?

Alternatives include "voluntarily", "willingly", or "by choice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each of these alternatives maintains the core idea of an action done without coercion.

Is it redundant to say "out of my own free will"?

While "out of free will" already implies the action is self-initiated, adding "my own" can further emphasize personal agency, though it is somewhat redundant and may sound less formal. The simpler phrasing is usually preferred in neutral and formal contexts.

What is the difference between "free will" and "out of free will"?

"Free will" is a philosophical concept referring to the capacity to choose between different courses of action. "Out of free will" describes an action that is performed because of that capacity, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the act.