volition

USAGE SUMMARY

'volition' is an accepted word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the power or faculty of choosing or determining a course of action. For example: "He made the decision with his own volition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't watch the show of my own volition too much after immigrating to the US as a child (I was a nerd who preferred to read books), but it was often on at home following the family meal on Saturday evenings; if we had friends and family over at our apartment on Saturday night, spending time with them meant watching the show.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said she would never have suggested that of her own volition but she has agreed to do it.

The Guardian - Music

I chatted with the waiter about his new baby and afterwards, quite of his own volition, he picked up my daughter and took her off to make friends with the other waiters.

The Guardian - Travel

To mimic that behaviour, Dr Moussaid added a third rule, which made members of his crowd more molecule-like when they were at very close quarters a lack of volition that will be familiar to anyone who has been in a tight jam of humanity.With this third rule added, the model accurately reproduced the dynamics of dense crowds as well as those of sparser ones.

The Economist

But he might just go of his own volition, if he feels he has lost the confidence of his party.

The Economist

The courts may do this of their own volition.

The Economist

He walked out into central government custody a day later, reportedly of his own volition, having told the Americans about the murder of a British businessman allegedly involving the wife of Bo Xilai, the party chief of nearby Chongqing.

The Economist

A fit prime minister going more or less of his own volition in mid-term and who is still younger than mid-term andpredecessors whoe when they began the job—is a rare thing.In thistilltion The Battle of the Budget Big And Expensive?

The Economist

Meanwhile, of its own volition, Israel has illegally set up over 460,000 settlers on Palestinian land.Christopher LeadbeaterAshford, KentSurgingSIR – You ought to point out that the American Enterprise Institute is a neo-conservative, rather than a conservative, think-tank, and is intimately associated with the Israel lobby ("Less a surge than a squirt", January 9th, Economist.com).

The Economist

(For his part, Mr Waheed, who insists that Mr Nasheed quit of his own volition, says he has left posts open for the former president's party, should the most recent ex-president change his mind).The past week has seen other, more worrying, echoes of the Gayoom era.

The Economist

In Russia the main intrigue is why Ms Vasilyeva, who got her legal qualifications only in 2009 after working as a cook (among other jobs), chose to spill the beans.An obvious explanation that she acted of her own volition because she was disillusioned with the system seemed too implausible for the conspiracy-laden world of Russian politics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "volition" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and conscious choice, especially one that reflects personal agency or self-determination.

Common error

Don't use "volition" when a simple desire or wish is more appropriate. "Volition" implies a stronger, more intentional act of will than merely wanting something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "volition" is as a noun. It represents the power of using one's will. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's an accepted word in written English used to describe the act of making a conscious choice or decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "volition" is a noun that signifies the power of consciously choosing or deciding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Its usage is most prominent in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating a preference for formal registers. When using "volition", remember to emphasize the intentional and deliberate nature of the choice being described, distinguishing it from mere desire or impulse. Alternatives like "free will" or "conscious decision" can be employed depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise of will

This phrase emphasizes the active use of one's willpower to make a choice, synonymous with "volition".

free will

This term specifically emphasizes the aspect of freedom in making choices, a core component of "volition".

conscious decision

This phrase highlights the deliberate and aware nature of the choice, similar to the conscious aspect of "volition".

of one's own choosing

Highlights that the decision or action was made freely and according to one's preferences, akin to "volition".

intentionality

This focuses on the purposefulness and directedness of the action, related to the intent behind "volition".

own accord

Implies acting willingly and without external pressure, relating to the freedom of "volition".

self-determination

This emphasizes the individual's power to control their own actions and choices, a key aspect of "volition".

with one's consent

Focuses on the agreement and willingness involved in a decision, touching on the conscious aspect of "volition".

personal agency

This term highlights the capacity of an individual to act independently and make their own choices, similar to "volition".

willingness

Emphasizes the readiness and eagerness to do something, reflecting the voluntary nature of "volition".

FAQs

How can I use "volition" in a sentence?

You can use "volition" to describe actions done by conscious choice. For example, "He left the company of his own volition", indicating it was his deliberate decision.

What's a simpler word I can use instead of "volition"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "will", "choice", or "decision" as simpler alternatives to "volition".

Is it correct to say 'act of volition'?

Yes, "act of volition" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a specific instance of exercising one's will.

What is the difference between "volition" and "impulse"?

"Volition" implies a deliberate and conscious choice, while "impulse" suggests a sudden, often irrational urge. Actions driven by "volition" are thoughtful, whereas impulsive actions are spontaneous.