are willful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are willful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is intentionally determined or stubborn in their actions or decisions. Example: "The committee members are willful in their pursuit of the project, refusing to consider alternative suggestions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"By doing so, they are willful accomplices and supporters of a development strategy that will have irreversible devastating impacts on the environment and natural resources and will destroy the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of indigenous people".

The Guardian

There are portions of it that are willful acts.

The New York Times - Sports

Her characters are willful and resilient in ways that make it difficult to see them simply as victims.

The New York Times

I'd prefer them to show up only when I'm ready at my desk, but they are willful.

The New Yorker

There are willful — and legal — tactics to make a space appear bigger on paper, like including common spaces and elevator shafts in the calculation of an apartment's size.

The New York Times

The songs, written primarily by the band's elfin-voiced lead singer, Robin Pecknold, are willful and changeable, rarely content with verse-chorus-bridge structures; they are minisuites and quasi-psychedelic excursions.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It can be willful.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Putting it kindly, that's willful ignorance.

The New York Times

The answer, it seems, is willful ignorance.

The Washington Post

Used to being obeyed, she is willful.

The New York Times - Books

For years, it was willful blindness".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are willful", ensure the context clearly indicates intentionality or stubbornness, avoiding misinterpretations. Consider the audience's perception of the action being described, as 'willful' can carry negative connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "are willful" when a more neutral term like "are intentional" or "are deliberate" would be more appropriate. Overusing "are willful" can create a biased or overly critical tone where it's not intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are willful" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state or characteristic. Ludwig confirms its correct usage to denote intentionality or stubbornness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are willful" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe intentional or stubborn behavior. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider the potential negative connotations. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "are intentional" or "are determined" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Recognizing these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are intentional

Highlights the deliberate and planned nature of actions, lacking the connotation of stubbornness.

are deliberate

Highlights careful consideration and intention behind actions.

are determined

Focuses more on resolve and purposefulness, rather than potential obstinacy.

are self-willed

Highlights the independent and autonomous nature of decision-making, often implying a disregard for others' opinions.

are stubborn

Emphasizes inflexibility and resistance to change or persuasion.

are obstinate

Similar to 'stubborn' but suggests a more rigid and unreasonable refusal to yield.

are headstrong

Indicates a tendency to act impulsively and resist advice.

are obdurate

Suggests a hardness of heart and an unyielding resistance to persuasion.

are defiant

Implies open resistance to authority or opposition.

are contumacious

A more formal and legal term for stubbornly disobedient or resistant to authority.

FAQs

How can I use "are willful" in a sentence?

You can use "are willful" to describe actions or behaviors that are intentional and often stubborn. For example, "The children are willful in their refusal to eat vegetables."

What's the difference between "are willful" and "are intentional"?

"Are willful" implies a degree of stubbornness or resistance, while "are intentional" simply means the action was done on purpose without necessarily implying resistance or defiance.

What can I say instead of "are willful"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are determined", "are stubborn", or "are deliberate".

Is it always negative to say someone "are willful"?

While "are willful" often carries a negative connotation due to the implication of stubbornness, it can also be used neutrally to simply indicate that actions are intentional and self-directed. The context is key.