be at ease with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be at ease with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing comfort or acceptance regarding a situation or person. Example: "After several meetings, I finally began to be at ease with the new project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Although she recognises that empathy is important, she says you have to be "at ease" with the fact that people have to be locked up.

Independent

He wants to be at ease with life.

The New Yorker

Some people will never be at ease with an opera that gestated in such a world.

The New Yorker

You have to be at ease with yourself, comfortable with your body, whatever it is".

The New York Times

He would never be at ease with the gay French queen.

The Guardian - Travel

That's the absolute crux of the practice, learning to be at ease with pleasure and pain.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

INDIA is at ease with big numbers.

The Economist

He is at ease with both constituencies.

The Guardian - Opinion

'He was at ease with it.

The Guardian

And she was at ease with that.

The New York Times

I'm at ease with that now.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be at ease with" to express a state of comfort or acceptance, especially when discussing personal feelings or attitudes toward a situation or idea. For example, "It's important to be at ease with uncertainty when starting a new project."

Common error

Avoid using "at ease" when you mean "easy". "At ease" refers to a state of comfort or lack of worry, while "easy" means simple or not difficult. For instance, say "I am at ease with the decision" rather than "The decision is at ease".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at ease with" functions primarily as a predicate adjective phrase, describing a state of comfort, acceptance, or lack of anxiety in relation to a person, thing, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it reflects a positive emotional or psychological disposition. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as being "at ease with modernity" or "at ease with oneself".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be at ease with" is a versatile expression that signifies comfort, acceptance, or a lack of anxiety towards something. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and widely used. It's a neutral phrase suitable for a range of contexts, as evident from the diverse examples sourced from reputable publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. Remember to use "be at ease with" when describing a state of comfort or acceptance, and to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding but distinct phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel comfortable with

Focuses on the feeling of comfort rather than a state of ease.

be comfortable with

Similar to 'feel comfortable with', emphasizing a state of comfort.

be familiar with

Highlights knowledge and understanding, leading to a state of ease.

be relaxed about

Emphasizes a state of relaxation in relation to something.

be accepting of

Highlights the act of acceptance, which can lead to ease.

be accustomed to

Suggests a state of habituation, making one feel at ease.

be unfazed by

Indicates a lack of disturbance or worry, contributing to ease.

take in stride

Suggests handling something calmly and easily, leading to ease.

have no problem with

Implies acceptance and lack of difficulty, related to being at ease.

be unconcerned about

Highlights a lack of worry, contributing to a state of ease.

FAQs

How can I use "be at ease with" in a sentence?

You can use "be at ease with" to indicate a state of comfort, acceptance, or familiarity towards something. For example, "After practicing mindfulness, I began to be at ease with my thoughts".

What can I say instead of "be at ease with"?

You can use alternatives like "feel comfortable with", "be comfortable with", or "be familiar with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am at ease with" or "I feel at ease with"?

Both are correct, but they carry slightly different meanings. "I am at ease with" suggests a state of being, while "I feel at ease with" emphasizes the sensation or emotion of being comfortable.

What's the difference between "be at ease with" and "be comfortable with"?

While very similar, "be at ease with" often implies a deeper level of acceptance or understanding, whereas "be comfortable with" can simply mean not experiencing discomfort.