have been willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been willing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a past willingness that has continued up to the present or to indicate a readiness to do something over a period of time. Example: "I have been willing to help with the project since it started, but I need more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few have been willing to challenge him.

The New York Times

The Chinese have been willing to oblige.

The New York Times

It's something I would have been willing to pass on".

The New York Times - Sports

No Iraqi politicians have been willing to say that publicly.

The New York Times

I would have been willing to play for less".

The New York Times

"They have been willing to take difficult positions," he said.

The New York Times

"But we have been willing to help her".

The New York Times

Many listeners have been willing Helen to get away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Few have been willing to talk publicly about it.

The New York Times

The children, she says, have been willing to try anything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

None have been willing to defend the videos' contents.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been willing" to express a sustained attitude or commitment over a period of time, rather than a one-time occurrence. For example, "They "have been willing" to invest in renewable energy for the past decade."

Common error

Avoid using "have been willing" to describe a fleeting moment of readiness. Opt for "were willing" when referring to a specific, past instance. For example, instead of "They have been willing to help yesterday", say "They were willing to help yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been willing" functions as a present perfect continuous form of the verb "to be willing". It indicates a state of readiness or inclination that began in the past and continues to the present. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been willing" is a versatile phrase used to express a continuous state of readiness or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse, signaling its adaptability across various communication styles. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a sustained attitude rather than a one-time event. Also, consider semantically similar alternatives like "have been inclined" or "have been ready" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been ready

Highlights the state of being completely ready or available to take action.

have shown a willingness

Highlights the demonstration of a quality rather than stating the quality as a simple descriptor. Can add a tone of indirectness or politeness.

have been inclined

Similar in expressing a tendency or preference, but focuses more on an internal disposition rather than an outward willingness.

have been eager

Emphasizes enthusiasm and keenness, suggesting a strong desire to do something.

have been disposed

Suggests a readiness or inclination, often implying a favorable attitude or circumstance.

have been amenable

Similar to agreeable, but suggests a willingness to comply or yield to the wishes of others.

have been prepared

Emphasizes readiness and preparedness, suggesting anticipation of a future action or event.

have been agreeable

Conveys a sense of being open to suggestions or proposals, implying a cooperative attitude.

have been game

Informal expression indicating enthusiasm and readiness to participate in something, often something challenging or risky.

have consented

Indicates formal agreement or permission, often in legal or official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "have been willing" in a sentence?

Use "have been willing" to describe a continuing state of readiness or inclination. For instance, "The company "has been willing" to negotiate terms over the past few months" indicates an ongoing willingness.

What are some alternatives to "have been willing"?

You can use alternatives like "have been inclined", "have been ready", or "have shown a willingness" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "have been willing" or "were willing"?

"Have been willing" suggests a willingness that started in the past and continues to the present, while "were willing" refers to a willingness that existed only in the past and may no longer be true. Choose based on whether the willingness is ongoing or concluded.

What's the difference between "have been willing" and "prepared to"?

"Have been willing" emphasizes a continuous state of readiness, whereas "prepared to" focuses on readiness for a specific action or event. For instance, "They "have been willing" to negotiate" shows continuous readiness, while "They are "prepared to" sign the contract" indicates readiness for a specific action.