eager to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eager to play" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are discussing someone who is enthusiastic or excited to begin an activity or game. For example: The children were eager to play the new game that their grandparents had brought over.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Many in fashion were eager to play along.

The New York Times

Mata said he was eager to play a part.

The Guardian - Sport

LeClair said he was eager to play the Russians.

The New York Times - Sports

Other artists were also eager to play Ms. Mazzoli's music.

The New York Times - Arts

Not surprisingly, the participating property owners are not eager to play host to artists indefinitely.

The New York Times

The Devils have a mandate to win, and he is eager to play his part.

The New York Times

And back in Peoria, well-meaning constituents are eager to play matchmaker.

The New York Times

Granted, Mr. Romney's campaign has not always been eager to play the experience card.

The New York Times

"She was very thin, dark-haired, small and congenial, eager to play with anyone around".

The New York Times - Health

And performers from the new generation seem just as eager to play almost anything.

The New York Times

On the day he conceded in 2006, he seemed eager to play ball again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eager to play" when you want to emphasize someone's enthusiasm and anticipation for participating in an activity. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "anxious to play" when you intend to convey excitement. "Anxious" often implies worry or unease, whereas "eager" specifically denotes enthusiasm and anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to play" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. According to Ludwig, the phrase expresses a state of readiness and enthusiasm towards participating in an activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "eager to play" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey enthusiasm and anticipation for participating in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's best used to emphasize a positive and proactive attitude. While similar phrases like ""excited to play"" and "keen to play" can be used as alternatives, it's important to avoid confusing it with words like "anxious", which carries a connotation of worry. With its frequent appearance in news media and other general contexts, "eager to play" remains a versatile and effective phrase for expressing eagerness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keen to play

Replaces "eager" with "keen", conveying a slightly more intense enthusiasm.

excited to play

Replaces "eager" with "excited", indicating a feeling of anticipation and thrill.

willing to play

Focuses on willingness rather than strong enthusiasm.

looking forward to playing

Expresses anticipation and pleasure about the upcoming activity.

enthusiastic about playing

Changes the structure to use "enthusiastic" followed by a prepositional phrase.

can't wait to play

Informal way of expressing strong desire and excitement.

anxious to play

Suggests a sense of anticipation, possibly with a hint of nervousness or worry.

itching to play

Uses a figurative expression to convey a strong urge or desire.

ready and willing to play

Emphasizes both preparedness and willingness.

disposed to play

More formal and less common, indicating an inclination or tendency.

FAQs

What does "eager to play" mean?

"Eager to play" means being enthusiastic and looking forward to participating in a game, activity, or role. It implies a positive and excited attitude towards something.

How to use "eager to play" in a sentence?

You can use "eager to play" when describing someone's anticipation. For example, "The children were "excited to play" in the snow" or "The team is "ready to play" their best game".

What can I say instead of "eager to play"?

You can use alternatives like "keen to play", ""excited to play"", or "looking forward to playing" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "eager to play" or "eager for playing"?

"Eager to play" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. "Eager for playing" is less frequent and can sound awkward. It's better to use "eager to play" or "eager for a game" instead.