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