whims and fancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'whims and fancy' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to spur-of-the-moment ideas or wishes that are not necessarily based in reality. For example, "She was filled with wild whims and fancy, always dreaming up new, outrageous adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's now whims and fancies.

Yale University

But many others court the needs, whims and fancies of cat owners.

The New York Times

The teacher must pay special attention to distinguishing between the real needs of the child and his whims and fancies.

Britannica

"It totally eliminated the whims and fancies of the motor vehicle inspectors," Mr. Rao, now inspector general of police for internal security, said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

The lower court in Trivandrum agreed with virtually every aspect of Padmanabhan's argument, saying, "This great temple should not be left to the whims and fancies of certain private individuals".

The New Yorker

Whether it's your want to follow the whims and fancies of men's fashion or just to pay heed to the weather, it's probably useful to know that we're entering what is known as a transitional phase.

Independent

Because of its size, averaging about 100 square meters, the convenience store escaped the reach of Japanese regulators and thus can be far nimbler and more responsive to customer whims and fancies than its larger brethren.

The New York Times

That requires the whims and fancies of elites, the research of scholars and the confidence of little dictators; or perhaps just a society with more blind confidence in itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not one to be swayed by the whims and fancies of our dear leader, my love of porridge is of a rather longer standing, but until recently, I was a rank amateur at its production.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Laissez-faire is a perfectly appropriate philosophy for markets and democracies, but when it comes to faith, those of us who are proud Catholics understand that the truth about church doctrine comes not from our passing whims and fancies, but from God.Lisa Wolski.

The Economist

Dr Gizis hopes that studying them will help astronomers understand the whims and fancies of the powerful magnetic fields that all stars, including the sun, generate, and which are presumed to produce the flares.Even if Kepler cannot be mended, planet-hunters need not despair.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whims and fancy" when describing decisions or actions that are driven by sudden desires rather than careful planning. It adds a touch of lightness and unpredictability to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "whims and fancy" when you actually mean needs and preferences. The former describes something impulsive and potentially unnecessary, while the latter refers to requirements and choices based on reason and justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whims and fancy" typically functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It describes a collection of transient desires or impulses, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whims and fancy" refers to transient desires and impulsive decisions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its suitability varies depending on context. It is most appropriate for informal or creative writing where a touch of lightness and unpredictability is desired. Alternatives like "capricious notions" or "fleeting desires" may be more appropriate for formal contexts. Remembering that the phrase describes something impulsive, rather than reflecting genuine needs or preferences, will improve the quality of your writing. It's also useful to note that the phrase is more commonly found in general discourse but, as of this analysis, it hasn't been documented in Ludwig's dataset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fanciful whimsies

A more playful and lighthearted way to express the idea, using a similar structure.

unpredictable fancies

Emphasizes the element of surprise and lack of predictability.

whimsical notions

Highlights the fanciful, quirky and often amusing aspect of the ideas.

capricious notions

Emphasizes the unpredictable and changeable nature of the ideas.

passing whims

Focuses on the temporary nature of these inclinations.

fleeting desires

Highlights the temporary and transient aspect of the wishes.

impulsive urges

Focuses on the spontaneous and unplanned nature of the drives.

erratic inclinations

Implies inconsistency and a lack of a stable pattern.

irrational impulses

Stresses the lack of logical reasoning behind the motivations.

sudden inclinations

Highlights the unexpected and abrupt appearance of the preferences.

FAQs

How can I use "whims and fancy" in a sentence?

You can use "whims and fancy" to describe someone's impulsive decisions or desires. For example, "The project was abandoned due to the leader's constant "whims and fancy"."

What's a good alternative to "whims and fancy"?

Alternatives to "whims and fancy" include "capricious notions", "fleeting desires", or "impulsive urges", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "whims and fancy" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "whims and fancy" is generally more suitable for informal or creative writing. Formal contexts may benefit from more precise or serious alternatives.

What is the difference between "whims and fancy" and "personal preferences"?

"Whims and fancy" refers to passing, often irrational desires, while "personal preferences" indicates considered choices based on taste or comfort. Personal preferences are typically more stable and justifiable than "whims and fancy".