Common Mistakes : Voluntary
Voluntary – Noun
BAD: The hospital could not operate without voluntaries
GOOD: The hospital could not operate without voluntary helpers
BAD: In my opinion, these young voluntaries should be congratulated
GOOD: In my opinion, these young volunteers should be congratulated
Voluntary is an adjective (NOT a noun). It describes someone who agrees to work without being paid, or work that is not paid: On Saturdays she does voluntary work at an old people’s home
The noun is volunteer = someone who decides to do something when they are not forced to do it: I need three volunteers to help me move the piano