What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonmandatory
Example
Attendance at the meeting is nonmandatory, but it is highly encouraged. [nonmandatory: adjective]
Example
The company offers nonmandatory training sessions for employees who want to improve their skills. [nonmandatory: adjective]
optional
Example
The dessert is optional, so you can choose to have it or not. [optional: adjective]
Example
The course has an optional reading list for students who want to explore the topic further. [optional: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Optional is more commonly used than nonmandatory in everyday language. Optional is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while nonmandatory is more technical and formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonmandatory and optional?
Nonmandatory is more formal and technical than optional, which is more commonly used in casual conversation. Therefore, optional is generally considered less formal than nonmandatory.
