it was willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was willing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a subject that was inclined or ready to do something in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, it was willing to adapt to the new circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cyprus's Orthodox church said it was willing to mortgage its assets to invest in government bonds.

The Guardian

It did not say if it was willing to increase its lending.

The New York Times

The United States allegedly said it was willing to withhold its veto power if the resolution was balanced.

The Washington Post

Ukraine's EuroMaidan revolution shows it was willing to risk its existence to become a part of Europe.

Forbes

Israel has insisted that it will not apologize, but it has said it was willing to express regret.

The New York Times

In response to other shareholder challenges, the company said it was willing to make several changes to its bylaws.

The New York Times

The company needed its employees to do more, and wanted to show it was willing to compensate accordingly.

The Washington Post

Axcelis said it was willing to meet with Sumitomo to discuss its relationship with SEN.

Forbes

The academy said it was willing to consider the request.

The New York Times

It added that it was willing to discuss additional aid once the two sides met.

The New York Times

The agency said it was willing to explore similar opportunities with other mailers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was willing" to clearly state a past inclination or readiness to perform an action, ensuring the context specifies who or what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "it was willing" when a more direct, active voice construction would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "It was willing to cooperate", consider "The company willingly cooperated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was willing" functions as a statement of past readiness or inclination. It indicates a subject's positive attitude towards a potential action or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was willing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express past readiness or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples demonstrate its versatility across contexts from news to business. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and consider using active voice alternatives when appropriate. Common sources include The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance in journalistic and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was prepared to

Highlights the act of getting ready to do something.

it showed a willingness

Focuses on the demonstrated attribute of willingness rather than a state of being.

it demonstrated readiness

Emphasizes preparedness and availability.

it was inclined to

Highlights a tendency or leaning towards a particular action.

it felt disposed to

Indicates a feeling of readiness or inclination.

it proved amenable to

Suggests being open and agreeable to suggestions or requests.

it agreed to

Implies explicit consent or acceptance of something.

it consented to

Conveys a formal agreement or permission.

it accepted the idea of

Focuses on the acceptance of a concept or proposal.

it entertained the possibility of

Suggests considering a certain action or event.

FAQs

How can I use "it was willing" in a sentence?

Use "it was willing" to indicate that something or someone showed readiness or inclination to do something. For example, "The team was under pressure, but "it was willing" to try a new strategy".

What are some alternatives to saying "it was willing"?

You can use alternatives like "it was ready", "it was inclined", or "it demonstrated readiness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was willing to"?

Yes, "it was willing to" is grammatically correct. It's a standard way to express that someone or something had the readiness or inclination to perform a particular action.

What's the difference between "it was willing" and "it is willing"?

"It was willing" refers to a past state of readiness or inclination, whereas "it is willing" refers to a present state. For example, "It was willing to negotiate last year", versus "It is willing to negotiate now".