voluntarily
voluntarily — adverb
1. doing something because you want to, not because someone forces you or because a
doing something because you want to, not because someone forces you or because a rule tells you that you must — it is a choice you make entirely on your own, without anyone insisting that you do it.
Asher voluntarily gave up his seat on the crowded bus to an elderly woman.
voluntarily + verb of giving/helping (give up, return, admit)
Imani voluntarily returned the extra change the cashier had given her by mistake.
The retired teacher voluntarily helps children from low-income families with their homework every week.
Wei voluntarily admitted that he had broken the window and offered to pay for a new one.
Several neighbours voluntarily came together to clean up the park after the storm passed.
- willingly
the most direct synonym, slightly more common in everyday conversation
- freely
emphasises the complete absence of any pressure or obligation
- of one's own accord
more formal and literary; suggests the idea came from inside the person
- by choice
more conversational register, often used in speech rather than writing
- forcibly
done with physical force or against someone's will
- involuntarily
done without wanting to, often as an automatic or reflex action
- under duress
formal/legal context; acting because of threats or pressure
文法句型
voluntarily + verb (action done willingly)
verb + voluntarily (emphasising the manner)
用法筆記
Typically placed immediately before the verb it modifies. Can also appear at the beginning of a clause for emphasis: 'Voluntarily, she told the truth.' Avoid using this adverb with verbs that already contain the idea of willingness — for example, do not say 'voluntarily chose' because 'choose' already implies free will.