viewed as optional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "viewed as optional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is not mandatory and can be chosen or disregarded at the discretion of the individual. Example: "The additional training sessions are viewed as optional, allowing employees to decide whether they want to participate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Embedded Systems Design

News & Media

Britannica

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The use of emulated instructions might be viewed as optional or extraneous to the basic design and use of the device.

Embedded Systems Design Using the TI MSP430 Series

A place where wiping your butt is viewed as optional.

Huffington Post

But in an age when facts are viewed as optional, when tragedies of history are denied, to purposefully lie in a nonfiction format is jarring.

Huffington Post

"Many chefs blame television for presenting unrealistic versions of life in restaurant kitchens, and they are outraged that the skills they have mastered over decades are viewed as optional by the new generation," the Times' Julia Moskin writes.

Huffington Post

That's for two reasons, said Downer, the district judge: so the fees aren't viewed as optional and so unemployed people can make connections through their service that could lead to a job.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Jerusalem is revered by Muslims as the third holiest place on earth, and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem (taqdīs) is viewed as an optional complement to the pilgrimage to Mecca, the hajj.

Britannica

Yet, in a city where traffic rules used to be viewed as entirely optional, a dozen pedestrians all stayed rooted on the sidewalk, waiting obediently in the rain as a red light counted down the 160 seconds they needed to wait before crossing.

The New York Times

In modern linguistics until quite recently context had been viewed as an optional extra.

Functional Linguistics

In that scenario, the missing information could be viewed as an optional field that was left blank.

Forbes

But taking breaks shouldn't be viewed as an optional luxury: Vacations have been linked to improved productivity and job performance, as well as increased well-being.

HuffPost

Without redirection, then, advocacy on behalf of a diverse and shifting circle of patients will continue to be viewed as peripheral, optional, and/or beyond one's capacity by future generations of physicians [ 66].

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "viewed as optional" to subtly suggest a potential benefit or advantage to choosing the option, rather than implying it's unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "viewed as optional" when you actually mean something is unimportant or negligible. Optional implies a choice with potential value, not a lack of value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "viewed as optional" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something is perceived or considered as not mandatory. It often qualifies a noun, specifying its status as something that can be chosen or omitted. Ludwig examples show the phrase used in various contexts, such as describing emulated instructions or health promotion activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "viewed as optional" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression used to denote that something is not mandatory but rather a choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, its application spans across various domains, particularly News & Media and Science, conveying that certain actions, items or rules are discretionary. While its meaning is straightforward, it's vital to distinguish 'optional' from 'unimportant', ensuring its use correctly implies a choice with potential value. Alternatives include phrases like "regarded as non-essential" or "considered discretionary", offering nuanced ways to express the concept of something being non-compulsory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarded as non-essential

Emphasizes the lack of necessity rather than choice.

considered discretionary

Highlights that the decision is based on individual judgment.

seen as not required

Directly states the absence of a mandatory aspect.

treated as voluntary

Focuses on the act of choosing to participate or not.

perceived as elective

Suggests a formal choice is available.

regarded as non-compulsory

Stresses the lack of obligation.

deemed not obligatory

Highlights that there is no imperative.

considered permissive

Focuses on the allowance rather than the requirement.

seen as a choice

Simplifies the concept to the presence of options.

regarded as a luxury

Indicates the item or action is not a necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "viewed as optional" in a sentence?

You can use "viewed as optional" to describe something that isn't mandatory. For example, "The extra credit assignment is viewed as optional, but it can improve your grade."

What can I say instead of "viewed as optional"?

Alternatives include "regarded as non-essential", "considered discretionary", or "seen as not required", depending on the context.

Is it better to say 'viewed as optional' or 'considered optional'?

Both 'viewed as optional' and 'considered optional' are correct. 'Viewed' implies a specific perspective, while 'considered' suggests a more general evaluation. Choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

How formal is the phrase "viewed as optional"?

"Viewed as optional" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "it's a choice" might be more appropriate.