voluntary

USAGE SUMMARY

'voluntary' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has been done by choice or with free will. Example sentence: The firefighter volunteered to help the elderly couple in need, showing a great act of voluntary kindness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once again it shows how voluntary action can show the way, proving that a low-carbon future is an essential, achievable and urgent priority.

The Guardian

For more news, opinions and ideas about the voluntary sector, join our community – it's free!

The Guardian

For more news, opinions and ideas about the voluntary sector, join our community.

The Guardian

Against this, the three options set out for debate would leave an individual paying an average £20,000-£22,500 under a basic partnership scheme, though some would pay far more; £20,000-£25,000 under a voluntary insurance scheme, though the uninsured might pay much more; and £17,000-£20,000 under a compulsory comprehensive scheme.

The Guardian

Fellows says this trait is particularly important in the voluntary sector.

The Guardian

An alternative trend emerges among those who have come from the public and voluntary sector, which is dominated by Labour MPs.

The Guardian

Iran: Putin insisted lifting a five-year embargo on the delivery of air defence missiles to Iran did not undermine international sanctions since the Russian ban was voluntary.

The Guardian

Legacy giving – money left to charity in a will – contributes £2bn to the voluntary sector, but only 6.7% of charities (less than 10,000) receive income in this way.

The Guardian

For a person to remain "voluntary" with the looming threat of detention should they try to leave, effectively incarcerates them – but without any of the rights (for appeal, legal aid etc) that the Mental Health Act provides.

The Guardian

And there were anxious murmurs from the sector earlier this month when Eco-Actif – a community interest company spin-out and sub-contractor providing support for the long-term jobless in south- east London – went into voluntary liquidation, claiming its banks considered the Work Programme too financially risky.

The Guardian

"I'd like to try and work with the [other] crown representatives to work with some of those suppliers to find the most effective ways for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to be a really important part of their supply chains," he explains.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing social issues or community involvement, pair "voluntary" with "effort" or "contribution" to underscore the willing participation of individuals in positive change.

Common error

Avoid assuming "voluntary" actions are always unpaid. While often true, "voluntary" primarily means done by choice, not necessarily without compensation. Clarify compensation separately to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The term "voluntary" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate actions, agreements, or participation undertaken willingly and without compulsion. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "voluntary" describes the nature of something being freely chosen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "voluntary" denotes actions performed willingly, without compulsion, and Ludwig AI’s analysis underscores its widespread use across various contexts, including news, business, and science. Its function is to emphasize autonomy and choice, with a register that is generally neutral to professional. The word "voluntary" should be used when it is important to emphasize that something is not required. Its frequency is deemed very common, and is most commonly used in News & Media. Common synonyms include "optional", "discretionary", and "freely chosen". Ludwig confirms that the term is grammatically correct, making it a reliable choice for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optional

Emphasizes the lack of compulsion; something that is not required.

discretionary

Highlights that the action is performed based on someone's judgment or choice.

of one's own accord

Stresses the self-initiated nature of the action, without external influence.

freely chosen

Focuses on the aspect of making a choice without coercion.

elective

Indicates a choice among multiple options, often in an academic or medical context.

non-compulsory

Directly negates the idea of obligation or requirement.

unforced

Emphasizes the absence of pressure or coercion.

willing

Highlights the readiness and enthusiasm to do something.

self-imposed

Implies that the action or obligation was decided upon by the individual themselves.

at will

Suggests the freedom to act or decide as one pleases.

FAQs

How can I use "voluntary" in a sentence?

You can use "voluntary" to describe actions done willingly, such as "voluntary contribution", "voluntary work", or a "voluntary agreement".

What's a good alternative to the word "voluntary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "optional", "discretionary", or "freely chosen".

Is "voluntary" the same as "volunteer"?

"Voluntary" is an adjective describing something done by free will, while "volunteer" is a noun referring to someone who performs a service willingly without pay. You might engage in "voluntary service" as a "volunteer".

When is it appropriate to use "voluntary" instead of "mandatory"?

Use "voluntary" when participation is a choice, not a requirement. If something is "not mandatory", it is "voluntary". In contrast, "mandatory" indicates something that must be done.