be open to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be open to doing something" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase in situations when you want to express that you are willing or amenable to trying something new. For example: "I am open to trying new recipes, even if they contain ingredients I'm not familiar with."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think we'd be open to doing something, some kind of TV special, I dunno about a movie.

The Guardian

So we'd want to be very careful, but I think the cast would be open to doing something at some point".

The Guardian

"Be a possible 'yes,' be open to doing something that makes you very uncomfortable on DACA in exchange for substantive structural reforms that may have been out of reach," a senior White House official said, summarizing Miller's pitch on the condition of anonymity to share details of a private moment.

The Washington Post

"They are open to doing something about their own issues because it could help their kid, and that's a very strong hook for mothers," Dr. Grupp-Phelan said.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump made the comment in an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN, in which he said he was "open to doing something with" the minimum wage.

The New York Times

Here's how.

Huffington Post

Make it clear that you have a plan, but that you're open to doing something else, too.

WikiHow

"But I've always been such an admirer of Marty, and when I met with him, I began to realize that he was wide open to doing something with this character.

Los Angeles Times

Be open to trying something new.

WikiHow

Be open to something new.

Huffington Post

Bumping and clanking away, with a few tweaks it might be made to do something practical, like open cans, though at that point I guess it would stop being art.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be open to do something", ensure that the context reflects genuine willingness to consider a new idea or action. For stronger phrasing, consider using "be open to doing something" instead.

Common error

A common mistake is to use the infinitive form "to do" after "open to" instead of the gerund form "to doing". Always use "doing" to maintain correct grammatical structure. Using "open to do" might sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be open to do something" functions as a verbal expression indicating a willingness or receptiveness toward undertaking an action or considering a new idea. It suggests a flexible and non-committal attitude. Although Ludwig AI marks this as acceptable, it is more common and grammatically sound to use "be open to doing something".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be open to do something" suggests a willingness to consider a new action or idea, but using "be open to doing something" is typically more grammatically sound and frequent. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, it is advisable to use the gerund form, "doing", for grammatical correctness. The phrase appears in various contexts, from news articles to wikis, expressing a conditional agreement. When writing, ensure that the context clearly conveys a sense of genuine willingness, and consider stronger phrasing for formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be receptive to doing something

Focuses on active listening and understanding before acting.

be willing to do something

Emphasizes a voluntary inclination toward the action.

be amenable to doing something

Highlights agreement and compliance.

be disposed to do something

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination.

consider doing something

Focuses on thinking about the possibility without commitment.

entertain the idea of doing something

Implies a thoughtful and open approach to a suggestion.

be prepared to do something

Highlights readiness and anticipation for action.

be game to do something

Informal expression indicating enthusiasm and readiness for a challenge.

be inclined to do something

Suggests a leaning towards the action based on preference.

be favorable to doing something

Indicates a positive attitude and support towards the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be open to do something"?

Consider alternatives like "be willing to do something", "be receptive to doing something", or "be amenable to doing something" for similar meanings.

What is the difference between "be open to do something" and "be open to doing something"?

"Be open to doing something" is the grammatically correct form, using a gerund. "Be open to do something" is less common and can sound awkward. The correct version emphasizes willingness toward an action.

When is it appropriate to use "be open to do something"?

While grammatically questionable, you might encounter it in informal contexts. However, "be open to doing something" is always a safer and more widely accepted choice.

Which is correct, "be open to do something" or "be open to doing something"?

"Be open to doing something" is the correct and more commonly used form. The gerund "doing" correctly follows the preposition "to" in this construction.