by willingness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by willingness" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something is done voluntarily or by choice, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The team completed the project by willingness, showing their commitment to the cause."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

This helped show how asset price movements can be driven by willingness to take risks.

The Guardian - Business

Stunned by willingness of @WSJ ed page and others to jump into bed with Iranian extremist mouthpiece like Fars….

The New York Times

This is a uniquely modern drama, and it is as much a psychical drama as a practical one, in which home is a place governed not by concepts of fairness but by willingness and desire.

The Guardian - Opinion

But arguably neither is scrapping them, since – even if you could somehow get a political mandate to scrap every private and grammar school in Britain tomorrow – parents would always find a way to game the system; we'd still have selection by house price, or by willingness to feign religious conviction, or some other ingenious new wheeze.

The Guardian - Opinion

It naturally fosters the idea that the prevailing distribution of income and wealth in a market economy reflects in rough-and-ready fashion the distribution of the contribution to society that people in different income classes make, where the "social contribution" is measured by willingness to pay for whatever actual contribution people make to society.

The New York Times

Mr. Daulerio, who has run Deadspin since the middle of 2008, has helped that site grow even more than Gawker did under Mr. Stern on a percentage basis, in part by willingness to challenge ethical norms and to pay sources on occasion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In this case the benefit, or utility, is given in monetary units by willingness-to-pay.

BMC Oral Health

Some women on our staff were insulted by our willingness to abide by this restriction.

The New York Times - Magazine

And that will be determined not by elections, but by the willingness of political leaders to push through structural reforms.

The Economist

They think that judges can be distinguished not by ideology, but by their willingness to explore issues deeper.

Huffington Post

His essay is characterized by its humanity, and by its willingness to borrow from religion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by willingness", ensure it clearly conveys the voluntary nature of an action. Consider whether a more direct word like "voluntarily" or "willingly" might be more concise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "by willingness" in overly formal or academic writing where it may sound awkward. Opt for stronger verbs or more sophisticated phrasing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by willingness" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner or means by which an action is performed. As Ludwig suggests, while understandable, there are frequently more concise and elegant alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by willingness" is grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that it's not always the most stylistic option. It functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing that an action results from a voluntary decision. While present in scientific and news contexts, consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "voluntarily" or "willingly" for improved clarity and impact. When using "by willingness", make sure the voluntary nature of the action is clear. It's best to avoid it in overly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voluntarily

This is a more direct and common adverb expressing willingness to do something.

by choice

This emphasizes the act of selecting or preferring to do something.

through volition

This alternative emphasizes the act of choosing or deciding something for oneself; it's more formal.

of one's own accord

This alternative highlights acting without external prompting or compulsion.

on one's initiative

This emphasizes taking action independently and proactively.

out of readiness

This suggests acting because one is prepared and available.

based on inclination

This suggests acting in accordance with one's preferences or tendencies.

given the disposition

This highlights acting in accordance with one's natural inclination or temperament; more formal.

through consent

This refers to situations where agreement or permission is granted for an action.

with the intention

This focuses on the purpose or aim behind the action.

FAQs

What does "by willingness" mean?

The phrase "by willingness" indicates that something is done voluntarily, based on someone's readiness or inclination. It suggests the action is a result of someone's desire or consent, rather than being forced or required.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "by willingness"?

Instead of "by willingness", consider using adverbs like "voluntarily" or "willingly". You could also rephrase using phrases like "of one's own accord" or "by choice", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always correct to use "by willingness" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "by willingness" can sometimes sound awkward or less direct than other options. In many cases, a simpler word or phrase might be preferable for clarity and impact. Ludwig AI suggests that while acceptable, there are often better alternatives.

What's the difference between "by willingness" and "with willingness"?

"By willingness" indicates that an action is caused or enabled by someone's willingness, whereas "with willingness" describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing the attitude or spirit behind it. For example, "The project succeeded by willingness of the team" versus "The team approached the project with willingness".