feel willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel willing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when expressing a sense of readiness or openness to do something, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "I feel willing to help you with your project if you need assistance."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How Palpatine was able to launch this threat, and what form it will assume in practice, is currently unclear, but few theatre owners will feel willing to take the risk.

The New Yorker

It will cost you something--more than you might feel willing to give at this time.

Huffington Post

They feel willing to die.

The Guardian

"It is for that reason that News UK have indicated it did not feel willing to engage in an exercise addressing these issues," said Smith.

The Guardian

Why do members of the public frightened of going to the doctor with their medical problems feel willing to consult you on TV?

The Guardian - Tech

Some did not feel willing or capable of making decisions about care, especially regarding feeding tubes, intravenous infusions, or resuscitation.

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"There's something about some of the art I'm seeing that feels willing to be adored, respected and appreciated, but not willing to scale up and take on real power.

The New York Times

At the election, a majority of the generals must have felt willing to concede some power to keep Algeria on the rails; they may now be balking at the consequences.Humbler Algerians, railing against corruption and inequality, may also balk.

The Economist

After talks in Brussels on Monday with European countries where G.M. has plants, Nick Reilly, the interim chief executive of the automaker's European operations, said the company was "looking for support of any government that feels willing to be able to provide us some financing support in the medium term".

The New York Times

The rationale for this is that the loose combination of LINk volunteers and their leaders – often simply those individuals who felt willing and able to undertake what is pretty much full-time unpaid work – varied considerably in the way they worked and the outcomes they achieved.

The Guardian

From our pilot survey, the majority felt willing and able to participate in a physical activity intervention [ 13].

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel willing" when you want to express a sense of openness or acceptance towards a specific action or idea, rather than a strong desire.

Common error

Avoid using "feel willing" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more direct and concise alternatives such as "be ready", "be prepared", or "be inclined" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel willing" functions as a predicate adjective describing a state of mind or inclination. It modifies the subject to indicate a readiness or openness towards a particular action or idea. Ludwig suggests that while grammatically correct, the phrase is not commonly used and may sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel willing" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to express a sense of readiness or openness. However, according to Ludwig, it is not very common and can sometimes sound awkward. More direct alternatives, such as "be ready", "be inclined", or "be willing", are often preferred for clarity and conciseness. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While the phrase isn't incorrect, carefully choose stronger verbs to convey willingness more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ready to

Indicates preparedness and availability to take a specific action.

be prepared to

Highlights the act of making oneself ready and able to face a task or situation.

be inclined to

Implies a tendency or leaning towards a particular action or belief, suggesting a mental disposition.

be eager to

Expresses a strong feeling of wanting to do something, indicating enthusiasm and anticipation.

be disposed to

Suggests a natural or habitual inclination, often implying a readiness to act in a certain way.

be amenable to

Implies a cooperative and agreeable attitude towards a suggestion or request.

be keen to

Similar to 'eager', but can also imply a strategic interest in doing something.

be inclined to believe

Focuses specifically on having a leaning towards accepting something as true.

be game to

An informal expression indicating enthusiasm and readiness to participate in something.

have a desire to

Emphasizes the presence of a wish or longing to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "feel willing" in a sentence?

You can use "feel willing" to express a sense of readiness or openness to do something. For example, "I "feel willing" to help with the project." However, consider using more direct alternatives for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "feel willing"?

Alternatives include "be inclined to", "be ready to", or "be prepared to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I am willing" or "I feel willing"?

"I am willing" is generally more direct and common. "I "feel willing"" can imply a slightly more hesitant or emotional inclination, but it's often better to use the simpler phrasing for clarity.

What's the difference between "feel willing" and "be willing"?

"Be willing" suggests a straightforward agreement or readiness. "Feel willing" can indicate a sense of emotional readiness or acceptance, but the distinction is subtle and the simpler "be willing" is often preferable.