desperate and willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desperate and willing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is in a state of urgency or need and is open to taking action or making sacrifices to achieve a goal. Example: "In her quest for a better life, she felt desperate and willing to do whatever it took to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Amanda said she was desperate and willing to settle on a donor who didn't check all of their boxes but Margarita was the opposite, threatened by all the donors.

Vice

Desperate and willing to do anything to win, the Clintons resorted to a naked form of racism aimed directly at white working-class voters in the rural portions of the state.

Huffington Post

Some observers actually expect wages to begin falling in 2011 under pressure from all those unemployed workers who are now desperate and willing to work for a lot less.

Huffington Post

Later, it was suspected that this information had been planted with her mother to make Anna more desperate and willing to comply with her trafficker's demands in hopes of returning to them.

Huffington Post

Often characterized as desperate and willing to undergo any treatment for a small chance of benefit, it seems surprising that 14% of newly referred patients, or 19% of eligible patients, declined participation in a phase I trial.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But he said he worried that the worsening humanitarian situation could act as a recruiting sergeant as people in the area grow hungrier, more desperate and more willing to accept the loans to survive.

The Guardian

But as long as they keep hitting home runs, they will be valued commodities in a sport desperate for power and willing to live with strikeouts to get it.

The New York Times - Sports

There he meets a bunch of other performers who seem to be desperate for work and willing to submit to unimaginable degradation for a chance to appear on the big screen.

The New York Times

And in matters of location, he was clever, because while impostors show up in every borough, Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer said the majority seek cover in poor communities, on streets where people might be desperate for services and willing to pay cash without asking questions.

The New York Times

There's sure to be plenty of app install ads, Facebook's current cash cow, as developers are desperate for installs and willing to pay.

TechCrunch

Alex Vine Tallahassee, Fla., Oct. 8, 2008 • To the Editor: The arrogant behavior of Senator John McCain in the second debate culminated in his referring to Senator Barack Obama as "that one" and clearly betrays a desperate and dangerous person willing to go outside the bounds of proper comportment to achieve a goal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "desperate and willing", ensure the context clearly conveys both the urgency and the readiness to take action, avoiding any implication of recklessness or lack of ethical consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate and willing" when the situation only warrants enthusiasm or eagerness. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate and willing" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to modify a noun or pronoun, emphasizing a state of urgency combined with a readiness to act. It highlights a situation where someone is not only in great need but also prepared to take significant steps to resolve it. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing individuals or groups facing challenging circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperate and willing" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, used to depict someone facing a critical situation and prepared to take significant actions to resolve it. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While alternatives like "eager and ready" or "anxious and prepared" exist, they lack the specific emphasis on urgency and potential risk-taking conveyed by "desperate and willing". The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, suggesting its utility in conveying serious or newsworthy situations. When using "desperate and willing", it's important to ensure the context aligns with the intended severity and readiness, avoiding overstatement or implying unethical behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager and ready

Emphasizes enthusiasm and preparedness more than desperation.

ready and eager

Similar to "eager and ready" but with a slight shift in emphasis.

anxious and prepared

Highlights anxiety and readiness, differing slightly in emotional tone.

determined and ready

Focuses on determination rather than desperation.

resolved and prepared

Stresses resolve, indicating a firm decision to act.

intent and willing

Highlights intention and willingness but downplays desperation.

driven and compliant

Indicates a strong motivation and a willingness to follow instructions.

needy and compliant

Highlights neediness, making them more willing to agree to requests or demands.

determined to act

Focuses on the decision and courage for action. Implies one is determined and ready to act.

resolved to proceed

Implies a firm decision to move forward despite challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "desperate and willing" in a sentence?

The phrase "desperate and willing" is typically used to describe a person or group who are in a dire situation and are prepared to do anything to improve it. For example: "Facing bankruptcy, he was "desperate and willing" to try any business venture to save his family's home."

What are some alternatives to "desperate and willing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "eager and ready", "anxious and prepared", or "determined and ready".

Is it redundant to say someone is both "desperate" and "willing"?

While "desperate" already implies a strong motivation, adding "willing" emphasizes the readiness to take action, even if it involves risk or sacrifice. The redundancy can strengthen the overall meaning.

What connotations does "desperate and willing" carry?

The phrase often suggests a high-stakes situation where the individual or group is facing significant challenges. It can also imply a degree of risk-taking or a willingness to compromise on principles due to the urgency of the situation.