voluntary notes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "voluntary notes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to notes or comments that are made willingly or without obligation, often in a context where feedback or additional information is provided. Example: "The teacher encouraged students to submit voluntary notes on their learning experiences throughout the semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, these policies usually don't have a penalty for not complying, "so in some sense they're voluntary," notes Heather Piwowar, who studies data sharing as a postdoc funded by the DataONE cyberinfrastructure project.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For his part, Mr. Olson said such cooperation remained "purely voluntary," noting that authors' agents also have a say in the sale of foreign rights.

The New York Times

These dissenters rightly dismissed the majority's assertion that the home visits were voluntary, noting that welfare applicants were not told they could withhold consent, and that they risked dire consequences if they resisted.

The New York Times

The majority decision upholding Project 100%, Judge Pregerson wrote, "strikes an unprecedented blow at the core of Fourth Amendment protections". These dissenters rightly dismissed the majority's assertion that the home visits were voluntary, noting that welfare applicants were not told they could withhold consent, and that they risked dire consequences if they resisted.

The New York Times

In more traditional convertible debt, it is possible to provide for voluntary note conversion under specific circumstances.

TechCrunch

Last month, three council members proposed making bike registration voluntary, noting in a report that cyclists are in "almost unanimous" opposition to the requirement and most do not register their bikes.

Los Angeles Times

Furthermore, one must critically discuss the fact that the attendance of the personal briefings as a central constituent of the pathway intervention was held voluntary: note that only 58 out of 128 patients accepted this offer and thereby put the pathway under consideration into question!

BMC Health Services Research

Participation is voluntary, it notes.

Science Magazine

Lender participation in the program is voluntary, Mr. Hobbs noted.

The New York Times

In its latest Civil Society Almanac, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) notes that charities' income from individuals – which includes legacies, membership fees and takings at charity shops – rose 7.7% in 2013-14 compared to the previous financial year.

The Guardian

They promised they would honor their voluntary privacy policies, noting that violations would be subject to lawsuits.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "voluntary notes", clarify the context to ensure readers understand that these notes are not required but offered willingly. This is especially useful in academic or collaborative settings where contributions are encouraged but not mandatory.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands that the notes are optional. Explicitly state that the notes are "voluntary" to prevent any confusion or feeling of obligation among participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "voluntary notes" functions as a noun phrase, where "voluntary" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "notes". It describes the nature of the notes being willingly provided rather than compulsory. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Science & Research

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "voluntary notes" is a noun phrase indicating that notes are provided willingly and are not mandatory. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is correct. It is most frequently found in contexts related to news, media, science and research. While not very common, using "voluntary notes" appropriately involves ensuring clarity about the optional nature of the notes to avoid any misinterpretations. Alternatives include phrases like "optional comments" or "discretionary memos", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optional comments

Focuses on the non-mandatory aspect of the notes.

optional memos

Highlights the lack of obligation to provide memos.

unrequired annotations

Highlights that the annotations are not a necessity.

voluntary observations

Emphasizes the willing nature of the observations.

self-imposed remarks

Emphasizes that the remarks are made willingly.

self-initiated comments

Emphasizes the active choice to make comments.

chosen annotations

Focuses on the selection to provide annotations.

willing contributions

Highlights the cooperative aspect of providing notes.

discretionary memos

Indicates that the memos are provided at one's own discretion.

elective feedback

Stresses the choice to give feedback through notes.

FAQs

How can I use "voluntary notes" in a sentence?

You can use "voluntary notes" to describe optional comments or feedback, such as: "The teacher encouraged students to submit "voluntary notes" on their learning experiences." or "The team leader invited "voluntary notes" from the project members after the meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "voluntary notes"?

Instead of "voluntary notes", consider using phrases like "optional comments", "discretionary memos", or "willing contributions" to convey a similar meaning.

Are "voluntary notes" and "required notes" the same?

No, "voluntary notes" are optional and willingly provided, while "required notes" are mandatory and expected. They represent opposite concepts.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "voluntary notes"?

"Voluntary notes" is suitable in contexts where comments, feedback, or annotations are welcomed but not compulsory, such as in educational settings, project collaborations, or feedback sessions. Always ensure the context clearly indicates the optional nature of the notes.