are willing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are willing to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is willing and open to do something, usually expressed as an offer or suggestion. For example: "We are willing to discuss potential solutions to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— are willing to accept.

The New York Times

We are willing to die.

The Economist

And still they are willing to pay.

The Economist

They are willing to try anything.

The New Yorker

But people are willing to do it".

The New Yorker

But few are willing to overpay.

The New York Times

They are willing to drop a dollar".

The New York Times

Others are willing to reserve judgment.

The New York Times

And people are willing to pay.

The New York Times

But few are willing to be themselves.

The New York Times

Second, they are willing to learn.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are willing to" when you want to emphasize a voluntary and open attitude towards a specific action or suggestion. For example, "They are willing to negotiate the terms of the agreement."

Common error

Avoid using "is willing to" with plural subjects. Always ensure that the verb "are" agrees with plural subjects, for example, use "they are willing to help" instead of "they is willing to help".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are willing to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a subject's readiness or disposition towards a particular action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are willing to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express readiness or openness towards an action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's very common across diverse sources, especially in News & Media. Key considerations include maintaining subject-verb agreement (using "are" with plural subjects) and choosing appropriate synonyms like "are prepared to" or "are inclined to" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. Avoid the error of using "is willing to" with plural subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are prepared to

Focuses on readiness and preparation for a specific action, rather than just willingness.

are ready to

Similar to 'prepared', but emphasizes the state of being completely equipped and available.

are inclined to

Suggests a leaning or tendency towards a certain action or belief.

are disposed to

Implies a natural tendency or preference, often suggesting a habitual inclination.

are amenable to

Indicates openness and agreement to a suggestion or proposal.

are game to

Informal way of saying someone is enthusiastic and ready to participate.

are happy to

Expresses pleasure and contentment in doing something.

are eager to

Highlights enthusiasm and excitement about doing something.

are of a mind to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing intention or willingness.

consent to

Implies formal agreement or permission.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are willing to"?

You can use alternatives like "are prepared to", "are ready to", or "are inclined to" depending on the context.

How to use "are willing to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are willing to" is used to express someone's readiness or openness to perform an action. For example: "We are willing to consider your proposal" or "The students are willing to participate in the survey".

What's the difference between "are willing to" and "are able to"?

"Are willing to" indicates a state of mind or readiness to do something, while "are able to" refers to the capacity or ability to do it. You can be willing but not able, or able but not willing.

Is it correct to say "is willing to"?

The phrase "is willing to" is correct only when referring to a singular subject, such as "he", "she", or "it". For plural subjects, use "are willing to". For example, "He is willing to help", but "They are willing to help".