my will was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my will was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a past state of determination or intention regarding a decision or action. Example: "Despite the challenges I faced, my will was strong enough to see me through to the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

My will was nonexistent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Before leaving on a business trip last fall, my first flight after Sept. 11, I made sure my will was up to date.

The New York Times - Tech

"Tempting Area for Exaggeration Meets Tools of the YouTube Era" (Political Memo, June 5), discussing candidates' possibly inflated military records, leads me to declare: I was drafted in 1965 and much against my will was sent to Vietnam for 365 days to join hundreds of thousands of my fellow citizens to take part in that awful mess.

The New York Times

People parted from me, women came and went, and I felt much like a man sitting in a room with rain beating on the window panes; there was a kind of sheet of glass between me and my immediate surroundings, and my will was not strong enough to break it.

The New Yorker

My faith allowed it, my doctor gave strict guidance, and my will was strong.

Huffington Post

My previous experience as a moron (sneakerhead) prepared me well for standing around in absurdly long lines waiting for Chinese garbage, so my will was strong.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

My will is finalized.

The Washington Post

My will is divided against itself.

Yale University

"My Will is a good horse in good form.

The Guardian - Sport

But My Will is more down to earth.

The Guardian - Sport

My will is paralyzed.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my will was", consider whether a more specific synonym like "determination", "intention", or "resolve" might enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "my will was" when referring to a legal document. In that context, "my will" refers to a testamentary document, not one's personal volition. For expressing the completion of drafting a legal will, use "I finalized my will" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my will was" functions as a statement describing a past state of determination or volition. It indicates the presence or absence of personal resolve at a particular point in time, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it's used to express both strength and lack of will.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my will was" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a past state of determination or intention. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is more common in contexts such as News & Media and less frequent in scientific or business environments. When writing, consider whether a more specific synonym would enhance clarity and avoid confusion with the legal definition of "will". Remember that "my will was" focuses on a past state of mind, as evidenced by the provided examples. The authoritative sources and related phrases offer additional guidance on its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i lacked the will

Emphasizes a complete absence of willpower.

my intention had been

Focuses on a prior intention that may or may not have been fulfilled.

my resolve was firm

Highlights the strength and stability of one's determination.

i had resolved to

Highlights a firm decision made in the past.

my determination stemmed from

Indicates the source or origin of one's resolve.

i was bent on

Suggests a strong and unwavering commitment to something.

i felt compelled to

Indicates a sense of obligation or inner drive.

i was driven by

Focuses on an external or internal force motivating action.

my spirit was unbroken

Implies resilience and an undiminished capacity for perseverance.

i was resigned to

Indicates acceptance of an undesirable situation.

FAQs

How can I use "my will was" in a sentence?

You can use "my will was" to describe a past state of determination or lack of it. For example, "Despite the obstacles, my will was strong enough to continue", or "My will was nonexistent, and I let events unfold without resistance".

What are some alternatives to "my will was"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "my determination was", "my resolve was", or "my intention was" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "my will is" instead of "my will was"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct but they refer to different time frames. "My will is" refers to your current state of determination, while "my will was" refers to your state of determination in the past.

What is the difference between "my will was strong" and "I had a strong will"?

Both phrases indicate a strong sense of determination. "My will was strong" emphasizes the state of your will at a specific time, while "I had a strong will" describes a more general and enduring character trait.