selected by lot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'selected by lot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the selection of someone or something by a method of chance or destiny. For example: "The jury had to select a winner from the group of applicants, so they chose one by lot."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The dicasts were selected by lot, every citizen over 30 years old being eligible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The members of Athens's state council (the 500 men, selected by lot, who haggled over the detail of policy) witnessed this fictional deliberation from the best seats: the front rows were allotted to them.

The Guardian

Judges, who had been selected by lot from across the cities' demes (villages or districts) made their choice and the victorious playwright was crowned with ivy and led in procession to a noisy and drunken party.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Using a map of each municipality, the districts, blocks and domiciles were randomly selected by lots to reach adults within the age range of interest.

BMC Oral Health

Thus, two municipalities from each stratum of number of inhabitants were randomly selected by lots, totaling eight municipalities to compose the sample.

BMC Oral Health

Randomisation was carried out by selecting by lot 11 of the total of 35 health authority areas weighted for stratum.

BMC Pediatrics

He was selected by drawing lots from a golden urn - a custom introduced in 1792 and used to select previous Lamas - but which critics say has been manipulated by the Chinese authorities.

BBC

The participants were selected by drawing lots stratified by the main clinical functions from the list.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Segments to be included in the study were selected by drawing lots.

BMC Public Health

25 of the subjects (40.3%) were randomly selected by drawing lots for reassessment with CIM-C again after one week to establish test-retest reliability.

BioMed Research International

A representative sample of 2500 primary-care physicians working in metropolitan France was selected by drawing lots from an independent database with regional stratification.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "selected by lot" when emphasizing impartiality and fairness in a selection process, especially in historical or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "selected by lot" in contemporary settings where other random selection methods like computer algorithms are more common. The phrase often implies a more traditional or historical method.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "selected by lot" functions as a passive construction describing the method by which a choice is made. It indicates that the selection process involves a random draw, typically to ensure fairness or impartiality, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "selected by lot" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a selection process involving a random draw. According to Ludwig, this method often emphasizes impartiality. While "selected by lot" is valid, it is more frequently encountered in historical, scientific, and formal contexts, implying traditional selection methods. Alternatives include "chosen by chance" or "selected randomly", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific method of random selection used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chosen by drawing lots

Very similar meaning, specifies the method of selection using physical lots.

chosen by chance

Emphasizes the randomness of the selection process, focusing on lack of deliberate choice.

selected randomly

A broad and direct alternative, simply indicating random selection.

drawn at random

Highlights the act of drawing or picking something without a specific pattern.

picked randomly

A more informal way of saying selected by chance.

determined by lottery

Specifically refers to a lottery system where selection is made through a draw.

chosen by sortition

Uses a more formal term (sortition) for selection by lot, often in political contexts.

designated by lot

Indicates a formal assignment made through a random selection process.

allocated by chance

Focuses on the distribution aspect, where allocation happens randomly.

appointed randomly

Emphasizes the authority or act of assigning someone in a random manner.

FAQs

What does "selected by lot" mean?

The phrase "selected by lot" refers to a method of choosing someone or something randomly, often by drawing from a set of objects (lots) such as slips of paper or numbered tokens. It's a way to ensure impartiality in the selection process.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "selected by lot"?

It is appropriate to use "selected by lot" when describing historical or traditional selection methods where physical lots were used to make a random choice. It can also be used in more formal contexts where a sense of historical practice is desired.

What are some alternatives to "selected by lot"?

Alternatives to "selected by lot" include "chosen by chance", "drawn at random", or "selected randomly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "selected by lot" the same as "selected randomly"?

While both phrases indicate a random selection, "selected by lot" typically implies a specific historical method involving physical objects for the random draw. "Selected randomly" is a more general term that can encompass any method of random selection, including computerized processes.