less eager to

USAGE SUMMARY

'less eager to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a decreased enthusiasm for doing something. For example: "After learning the amount of work that would be involved, he was less eager to take on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was less eager to show off other features.

The New York Times

Johnson seemed less eager to single out Trump.

The New Yorker

It also makes companies less eager to cooperate on technology standards.

The New York Times

(They are less eager to engage on "wedge issues" like abortion).

The New York Times

Once upon a time, however, he was no less eager to overturn term limits.

The New York Times

He's less eager to discuss the past, when that same journey took 30 days.

The New York Times

Dennis is no less eager to grow meat than his colleagues.

The New Yorker

The players were even less eager to talk about their shrinking division lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Other foreign companies seem less eager to enter the Indian market even after the recent changes.

The New York Times

The officers were less friendly, less eager to hunt down documents to put in individual files.

The New York Times

For someone less eager to cook, "I thought it was a good buy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less eager to" to subtly indicate a change in attitude or a decrease in enthusiasm, rather than a complete refusal. For example, "Initially, she was excited about the project, but after the first week, she was less eager to continue."

Common error

Avoid using "less eager to" when you actually mean complete unwillingness or refusal. "Less eager" implies a reduced willingness, not an absolute rejection. If you mean someone is unwilling, use phrases like "refused to" or "unwilling to" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less eager to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, followed by an infinitive indicating an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is standard English, conveying a reduced level of enthusiasm or willingness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less eager to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that expresses a reduced level of enthusiasm or willingness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established in English usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to communicate a change in attitude or motivation. While alternatives like "reluctant to" or "hesitant to" exist, "less eager to" provides a nuanced way to express diminished enthusiasm without implying complete unwillingness. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a decrease in eagerness, rather than a complete rejection of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reluctant to

Conveys a feeling of hesitation or unwillingness.

hesitant to

Suggests a pause or delay due to uncertainty or doubt.

less inclined to

Focuses on a decreased tendency or disposition towards something.

not so keen to

Emphasizes a lack of enthusiasm or reluctance.

not as willing to

Indicates a reduced readiness or consent to do something.

disinclined to

Formally expresses a lack of willingness or desire.

not as enthusiastic about

Highlights a diminished level of excitement or interest.

unenthusiastic about

Directly states a lack of enthusiasm.

not in the mood to

Indicates a lack of current desire or energy to do something.

not so disposed to

Suggests a lack of natural inclination or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "less eager to" in a sentence?

Use "less eager to" to express a reduced level of enthusiasm or willingness towards something. For instance, "After the initial excitement, he became "less eager to" participate in the project."

What are some alternatives to "less eager to"?

You can use alternatives like "reluctant to", "hesitant to", or "not as willing to" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Which is correct, "less eager to" or "not eager to"?

Both "less eager to" and "not eager to" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Less eager to" implies a decrease in enthusiasm compared to a previous state, while "not eager to" simply means a lack of enthusiasm.

What is the difference between "less eager to" and "unwilling to"?

"Less eager to" suggests a reduced enthusiasm or motivation, while "unwilling to" indicates a lack of willingness or a refusal to do something. The latter is a stronger and more decisive statement.