voluntarily
/ˈvɒləntrəli/ (bre, ipa) · [vˌɑləntˈɛrəli] /ˌvɑːlənˈterəli/ (ame, ipa) · [vˌɑləntˈɛrəli] /¦välən‧¦terəlē, -rəli/ (ame, mw)
voluntarily — adverb
1. because you choose to do something and want to do it, rather than because someon
because you choose to do something and want to do it, rather than because someone tells you to or forces you
Several nurses at the clinic voluntarily worked extra hours during the flood crisis.
adverb before past-tense verb phrase: worked extra hours
The Watanabe family voluntarily reduced their water use during the summer drought.
collocation: voluntarily + reduced / lowered
The teenager apologized voluntarily after her mother explained why the action was wrong.
Dr. Okafor voluntarily gave up a place at the conference so a younger colleague could attend.
The elderly couple voluntarily donated their old kitchen table to the community center.
- willingly
more general; can describe doing a required task with a positive attitude, whereas 'voluntarily' emphasizes the absence of external force
- of one's own accord
more formal and idiomatic; emphasizes that no one else suggested or requested the action
- freely
focuses on the absence of constraints or pressure, sometimes broader in meaning
- forcibly
done under physical force or legal compulsion, the opposite of choosing freely
- under duress
formal; describes actions done under threat or extreme pressure
文法句型
voluntarily + verb
verb + voluntarily
用法筆記
Typically used with verbs that describe actions a person can choose to do, such as help, give, leave, confess, participate, donate, or apologize. Not used with involuntary bodily functions or emotional reactions.