voluntarily decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "voluntarily decided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a choice or decision was made freely and without coercion. Example: "After much consideration, she voluntarily decided to resign from her position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He has "voluntarily" decided to make do with £2.8m.

The Guardian - Business

However, she said, she voluntarily decided not to make fund-raising appeals to such companies.

The New York Times

The company continues to state that Mr. Villella voluntarily decided to leave after next season.

The New York Times

No wealthy country has ever voluntarily decided — in the middle of an economic recovery, no less — to default.

The New York Times - Magazine

Legal & General, which manages more than $147 billion in assets, voluntarily decided to stop lending shares this week.

The New York Times

And a study of three hundred companies that voluntarily decided to expense all their stock options saw no negative impact on stock prices.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

(Most, he says, voluntarily decide to stop).

The New York Times

The board could change from within, voluntarily deciding to become more transparent and strategic in how it manages the sport.

The New York Times

Yesterday, the board published rules, first disclosed in August, giving companies that voluntarily decide to expense stock options a choice of accounting methods to make the change.

The New York Times

Kristen Kavanaugh, a 2002 graduate of the Naval Academy, said she served in the Marine Corps for five years before voluntarily deciding to leave the military because she no longer wanted to lie about being a lesbian.

The New York Times

The subject has huge implications, hinted at when Mr Gardner describes the fundamentalist as someone who "voluntarily decides that he will no longer change his mind in any significant way".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "voluntarily decided" to clearly indicate that a decision was made without coercion or external pressure. This can strengthen the credibility of your statement, particularly in contexts where autonomy is important.

Common error

Avoid using "voluntarily decided" when there was an underlying influence or implicit expectation. "Voluntarily" implies a genuinely free choice, so ensure the context supports this meaning to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "voluntarily decided" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of making a choice or determination without external compulsion. It highlights the autonomy and freedom in the decision-making process, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "voluntarily decided" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a choice made without coercion. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to emphasize the autonomy of the decision-maker, appearing most commonly in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and formal business environments. While subtle alternatives like "consciously decided" or "independently decided" exist, it is essential to ensure the context accurately reflects a genuinely free choice when employing this phrase. Key considerations include avoiding redundancy by omitting "voluntarily" when volition is already implied. This phrase is suitable for neutral and formal registers, maintaining clarity and conveying agency effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consciously decided

Emphasizes awareness and intention in the decision-making process.

deliberately decided

Highlights careful consideration and intentionality before making the decision.

independently decided

Focuses on the autonomy and lack of external influence in making the decision.

proactively decided

Stresses the initiative taken in making the decision.

purposely decided

Emphasizes a clear intention or goal behind the decision.

intentionally decided

Highlights the deliberate nature and purposefulness of the decision.

actively decided

Indicates an engaged and participatory role in the decision-making process.

willingly decided

Highlights the positive attitude and eagerness with which the decision was made.

freely chose

Emphasizes the absence of constraints or obligations in making the choice.

elected to

Suggests a formal or deliberate choice from a set of options.

FAQs

How can I use "voluntarily decided" in a sentence?

You can use "voluntarily decided" to indicate that someone made a choice without being forced or coerced. For example, "The company "voluntarily decided" to reduce its emissions."

What are some alternatives to "voluntarily decided"?

Alternatives include "consciously decided", "independently decided", or "willingly chose" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "voluntarily decided?"

While "decided" often implies volition, using ""voluntarily decided"" can emphasize the lack of external pressure, making the choice clearer. It's not always redundant, but context-dependent.

What's the difference between "voluntarily decided" and "forced to decide"?

"Voluntarily decided" indicates a choice made freely, while "forced to decide" implies coercion or lack of genuine choice. They are opposites in terms of autonomy.