be willing to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be willing to play" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a readiness or openness to participate in an activity or situation. Example: "If you want to join the team, you need to be willing to play and collaborate with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some members of the organization are skeptical that Alou will be willing to play in New York, but they hope he will be receptive to their overture.

The New York Times - Sports

If those guys can make that next step to get to the playoffs, then more players will be willing to play there".

The New York Times - Sports

If they do decide to release new material, it will be very interesting to see whether they will attempt to return to country music, and, if so, whether country radio will be willing to play them.

The Guardian - Music

Be sure you know what your cat will be willing to play with before you spend time making toys.

WikiHow

Monologue of manager of a show that flopped telling the cast a hard-luck story so that they will all be willing to play ball with Mr. Reinman, the producer, and take cuts in their salary.

The New Yorker

And the other party may be willing to play along.

The New York Times

Would Benjamin be willing to play with Woods?

The New York Times

"You've got to be willing to play the odds".

The New York Times - Sports

He indicated last month that he would be willing to play some first base if needed.

The New York Times - Sports

If that happens, would Rice be willing to play for another team?

The New York Times - Sports

Put simply, they have to be honest and they have to be willing to play for each other.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be willing to play" in professional contexts, ensure it aligns with the tone; consider alternatives like "be prepared to participate" for heightened formality. Choose the wording that is most precise in describing a specific context of playing or performing some task.

Common error

Avoid using "be willing to play" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. It can sometimes sound too casual. Opt for more professional alternatives to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be willing to play" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a predisposition or readiness towards engaging in a specific activity or role. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and widely used. Examples show its application in various contexts, from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be willing to play" is a versatile phrase indicating a readiness or openness to participate in an activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. While primarily neutral in tone, its suitability can vary depending on the context; consider alternatives like "be prepared to participate" for more formal settings. This phrase is common in news, media, and general discussions, emphasizing cooperation and active engagement. Remember to choose the phrase or alternative that best fits the tone and nature of your writing, ensuring clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prepared to participate

Emphasizes readiness and active involvement, slightly more formal.

be ready to engage

Highlights the readiness to connect and interact, less specific about the activity.

be open to collaboration

Focuses on the collaborative aspect of playing, implying teamwork.

be disposed to join in

Implies a natural inclination and agreement, slightly more formal.

be game to try

Suggests a willingness to experiment and test new ideas, more informal.

be keen to participate

Emphasizes enthusiasm and eagerness, more informal.

be amenable to involvement

Highlights agreement and consent to be included, very formal.

be inclined to take part

Suggests a favorable disposition towards participating, more formal.

be eager to contribute

Focuses on the act of providing or adding something, more specific.

be happy to get involved

Emphasizes the positive sentiment of participating, less formal.

FAQs

How can I use "be willing to play" in a sentence?

You can use "be willing to play" to indicate someone's readiness to participate in an activity or take on a role. For instance, "The company needs employees who "are willing to play" their part in achieving the goals".

What are some alternatives to "be willing to play"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "be prepared to participate", "be ready to engage", or "be open to collaboration" as alternatives to "be willing to play".

Is "be willing to play" suitable for formal writing?

While "be willing to play" is widely understood, it may sound informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives, such as "be disposed to join in" or "be amenable to involvement", to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean to "be willing to play ball"?

The idiom "be willing to play ball" means to be cooperative and agree to work with others towards a common goal. This expression is more specific and often used in business or political contexts. See: "be willing to play".