voluntarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "voluntarily" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that describes an action that is done willingly or of one's own free will. You can use it in sentences such as "She volunteered her time to help the organization".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are particularly scathing about the coalition's reliance on the responsibility deal, in which food and drink firms voluntarily agree moves to reduce the harm their products can cause.

The Guardian

Practitioners may voluntarily sign up to one of a number of organisations, but these have no clout.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"One Sinhalese Sri Lankan woman was recommended for refugee status, but we're told she voluntarily requested to depart [for Sri Lanka] with the others as she didn't want to be left alone.

The Guardian

It is the first time Nadir has taken the stand since he voluntarily returned from exile in his native Northern Cyprus in 2010.

The Guardian - Business

Under the Living Wage model, which enjoys cross-party support, employers voluntarily opt in to paying the wage which is a calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK - sums done by the Centre for Research in Social Policy.

The Guardian

"As there is no longer a resettlement payment for MPs who step down voluntarily (quite rightly), I have started the process of developing external interests ahead of that time".

The Guardian

Citing a number of large and small businesses he said had raised wage payments voluntarily and without "waiting for Congress to make up its mind" – including two giants, Gap and Costco – Obama said: "I agree with these business owners, which is why I issued an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay their employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour.

The Guardian

Anwar was supposed to present himself voluntarily today to be questioned by police for the first time on the sodomy accusation.

The Guardian

This was "totally unnecessary" since Anwar had agreed to be questioned voluntarily, said Nair.

The Guardian

Instead of fighting for their right to remain, the UNHCR are encouraging a dignified exit for refugees in Mtabila camp by offering generous incentive packages for those returning voluntarily.

The Guardian

He has cooperated fully with authorities and voluntarily testified before the grand jury for several hours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "voluntarily", ensure the context clearly indicates that the action was performed without any external pressure or obligation. For clarity, follow it with a phrase specifying the action: "He voluntarily resigned from his position".

Common error

Avoid using "voluntarily" when there might be implicit expectations or subtle pressures influencing the decision. Even if someone seems to act willingly, carefully consider whether underlying factors impact their choice. For example, avoid saying someone "voluntarily" participated if their participation was strongly encouraged by their employer.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "voluntarily" functions primarily as a modifier, describing how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is done willingly and without coercion. As seen in Ludwig, examples from diverse sources showcase its use in modifying verbs related to actions like returning, testifying, or stepping down.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "voluntarily" signifies actions performed willingly and without external compulsion. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its common usage across diverse contexts, including news, business, and more formal settings. When using "voluntarily", ensure the context clearly indicates the absence of coercion. Related phrases like "of one's own accord" or "willingly" can provide nuanced alternatives, depending on the desired emphasis. Steer clear of using "voluntarily" if there are subtle pressures impacting a decision. The frequency of "voluntarily" in authoritative sources underscores its importance in clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

willingly

Focuses on the eagerness or readiness to do something.

by choice

Highlights the act of selecting to do something.

by free choice

Focuses on freedom in the selection process.

of one's own accord

Implies initiating an action without external prompting.

without being forced

Emphasizes the absence of coercion or pressure.

by one's own volition

A more formal way of saying by one's own will.

on a free will basis

Stresses the autonomous nature of the decision.

with no obligation

Underscores the lack of any duty or requirement to act.

at one's discretion

Highlights that action is based on one's judgment

out of one's own goodwill

Stresses the benevolence or positive intent behind the action.

FAQs

How to use "voluntarily" in a sentence?

Use "voluntarily" to describe an action someone does of their own free will, without being forced. For instance, "She "voluntarily" offered to help with the project".

What can I say instead of "voluntarily"?

You can use alternatives like "willingly", "by choice", or "of one's own accord" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "voluntarily" or "volunteerily"?

"Voluntarily" is the correct spelling. "Volunteerily" is a misspelling and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "voluntarily" and "volunteer"?

"Voluntarily" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed, while "volunteer" is a noun or verb referring to someone who offers to do something without pay. For example, "He "voluntarily" cleaned the park" (adverb) vs. "He is a park volunteer" (noun).