are not willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not willing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of desire or readiness to do something. Example: "The employees are not willing to accept the new policy changes without further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Guests are not willing to sacrifice that.

The New York Times

Children are not willing consumers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People are not willing to help you.

The Guardian - Sport

But people are not willing to pay.

The New York Times

"Sellers are not willing to drop prices.

The New York Times

Democrats are not willing to change the current entitlement programs.

The New York Times

"They are not willing to put up with another experiment.

Independent

"We are not willing to live in autocracy anymore".

The New York Times

Banks are not willing to take that kind of risk.

The Economist

But opponents are not willing to wait any longer.

The Economist

However, the unions are not willing to let this go.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not willing", ensure the subject clearly indicates who is unwilling. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is not willing" when referring to a plural subject. Ensure the verb form agrees with the subject (e.g., "they are not willing", not "they is not willing").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not willing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a negation of willingness or readiness. According to Ludwig, it is used to express a lack of desire or readiness to perform an action. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying subjects across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not willing" is a versatile and commonly used verbal phrase that effectively conveys a lack of desire or readiness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, from news reporting and scientific research to formal business communication. Although it maintains a neutral register, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity is crucial for effective writing. Remember to use it in the right agreement with the subject. Alternatives such as "are unwilling" and "do not want to" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality. Ludwig's extensive examples and analyses affirm its importance in clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unwilling

More formal and direct in expressing a lack of willingness.

do not want to

Simple and straightforward way to express a lack of desire.

have no intention of

Clearly states the absence of any plan or desire to do something.

are not prepared to

Suggests a lack of readiness or arrangement to do something.

decline to

Formal and polite refusal to do something.

refuse to

Stronger emphasis on the rejection of an action.

are disinclined to

Indicates a lack of enthusiasm or motivation.

are loath to

Expresses reluctance or unwillingness due to distaste.

are averse to

Expresses a feeling of dislike or opposition.

are indisposed to

Formal way of saying someone is not in the right condition to do something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are not willing"?

You can use alternatives like "are unwilling", "do not want to", or "decline to" depending on the context.

How to use "are not willing" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not willing" is used to express a lack of desire or readiness to do something. For example, "The students are not willing to accept the new rules."

Which is correct, "are not willing" or "is not willing"?

"Are not willing" is correct when referring to a plural subject, while "is not willing" is correct for a singular subject. For example, "They are not willing", but "He is not willing."

What's the difference between "are not willing" and "are not prepared"?

"Are not willing" indicates a lack of desire, whereas "are not prepared" suggests a lack of readiness or arrangement. You might be willing to do something but not prepared for it, or vice versa.