more than eager

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than eager" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone is very eager about something. For example: "The students were more than eager to begin the new school year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is more than eager.

The New York Times - Sports

Beijing has been more than eager to take offense.

The New York Times

"Undercoating" is a word her subconscious has been more than eager to cast up.

The New Yorker

We are more than eager for this White House to finally get something right on Iraq.

The New York Times

And with Rangers' standards slipping, a Motherwell side showing no fear were more than eager to take advantage.

The Guardian - Sport

For their part, the U.N. and aid groups have been more than eager to adopt the model the Nuba want.

The New York Times - Magazine

If I had been aware, I would have been more than eager to provide what information I could".

The Guardian - Sport

One thing was clear, Mr. Carter said: Mr. Castro is more than eager to do business with the United States.

The New York Times

And local sheiks across southern Iraq are more than eager for the cash, jockeying for a chance to collect what may the last bit of military largess.

The New York Times

Her 14-year-old brother, Warren John D'Leoo), immediately sets about organizing shady larcenous operations with students who are more than eager to join his syndicate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were a couple of more-than-eager guys waiting to grab it yesterday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience. While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, a synonym such as "extremely willing" may be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "more than eager" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound informal or hyperbolic. Opt for alternatives like "extremely willing" or "highly motivated" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than eager" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a heightened degree of enthusiasm or willingness. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in English. It intensifies the basic adjective "eager", indicating a strong desire or readiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than eager" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a heightened sense of enthusiasm or willingness. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the level of formality when writing, opting for alternatives like "extremely willing" or "highly motivated" in more formal settings. The expert analysis rates its quality highly, and the related phrases offer diverse options for expressing similar sentiments. Remember to choose the most suitable alternative based on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very willing

Highlights the readiness to undertake a task, slightly less intense.

keen to

A more concise and direct way to express eagerness.

very keen

Similar to "keen to", but emphasizes the high level of interest.

extremely enthusiastic

Emphasizes the high degree of enthusiasm, focusing on the emotional aspect.

ready and willing

Emphasizes both preparedness and willingness.

highly motivated

Focuses on the drive and determination behind the eagerness.

enthusiastically inclined

A more descriptive way to express eagerness, highlighting the positive attitude.

anxious to

Suggests a sense of anticipation or slight worry alongside eagerness.

positively inclined

Emphasizes a favorable disposition towards something, implying a willingness.

quite disposed

A more formal way of expressing willingness.

FAQs

How can I use "more than eager" in a sentence?

You can use "more than eager" to express a strong feeling of wanting to do something, as in "The team was more than eager to start the project".

What is a good substitute for "more than eager"?

Alternatives include "very willing", "extremely enthusiastic", or "highly motivated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more than eager", or is there a better way to phrase it?

"More than eager" is a perfectly acceptable and common phrase. However, you could also use "very eager" or "extremely eager" if you prefer.

What is the difference between "more than eager" and "anxious to"?

"More than eager" implies a strong willingness and enthusiasm, while "anxious to" suggests a mix of eagerness and slight worry or anticipation. The choice depends on the specific emotion you want to convey.