randomly selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "randomly selected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a selection made without taking into account any set criteria or parameters. For example, "The jury was randomly selected from a pool of eligible candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others were randomly selected.

Stanford University

She has been randomly selected from a list of addresses themselves randomly selected from a randomly selected postcode.

The Guardian

Randomly selected issues will contain questionnaires.

The New York Times

Randomly selected mice were caught by hand.

Nature

The survey covering 1500 randomly selected households.

Princeton University

The other half are randomly selected by computer.

The New York Times

Randomly selected machines should be continually tested throughout Election Day.

The New York Times

The computer randomly selected the round and direction.

The New York Times

Sir, your baggage has been randomly selected for radiation therapy.

The New Yorker

The committee is randomly selected and changes every six months.

The Guardian

Twenty colonies were randomly selected for DNA sequencing.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a research methodology, use "randomly selected" to clearly indicate that participants or samples were chosen without bias, ensuring the validity of your results.

Common error

Avoid using "randomly selected" when the selection process has some degree of non-random criteria, even if subtle. For instance, if you pre-screened candidates based on basic eligibility before the random selection, clarify this preliminary step to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "randomly selected" functions as a past participle adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun has undergone a process of random selection. This is consistent with examples found by Ludwig, showing its widespread adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "randomly selected" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe a selection process based on chance, free from bias or specific criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business domains. When writing, ensure that "randomly selected" accurately reflects the selection process to maintain clarity and avoid misleading interpretations. Related phrases like "arbitrarily chosen" or "haphazardly picked" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired nuance. Understanding these nuances and applying this guidance will strengthen the precision and credibility of one's writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at random selected

This alternative indicates a selection based purely on chance.

arbitrarily chosen

This alternative emphasizes the lack of a specific reason or system behind the selection process.

haphazardly picked

This alternative highlights the element of chance and lack of planning in the selection.

indiscriminately chosen

This alternative stresses that the selection was made without distinguishing between different options.

randomly designated

This alternative emphasizes the assignment aspect of the selection process.

by chance selection

This alternative highlights the role of pure luck or probability in the selection.

unpredictably selected

This alternative emphasizes that the selection could not have been foreseen or anticipated.

fortuitously chosen

This alternative suggests that the selection was lucky or fortunate.

without preference chosen

This alternative directly states the lack of any bias or preference in the selection.

out of the blue selected

This alternative highlights the unexpected and surprising nature of the selection.

FAQs

How can I use "randomly selected" in a sentence?

You can use "randomly selected" to describe a process where items or individuals are chosen without any specific pattern or bias. For example, "The participants were "randomly selected" from a pool of volunteers."

What is a good alternative to "randomly selected"?

Alternatives to "randomly selected" include "arbitrarily chosen", "haphazardly picked", or "indiscriminately chosen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "selected at random" instead of "randomly selected"?

"Selected at random" and "randomly selected" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.

What does it mean when something is "randomly selected"?

When something is "randomly selected", it means it was chosen without any specific intention, criteria, or bias. Each item or individual has an equal chance of being picked.