ready to please

USAGE SUMMARY

"ready to please" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically implies that someone is willing to fulfill another's wishes or desires. For example, you could say, "I'm ready to please - just tell me what you need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

His roots were accounted for, and he was ready to please the world.

The New York Times - Arts

On his release from prison, he was ready to please no one.

The Guardian - Books

"I fear the malicious briefings will continue and Lansley will be replaced as soon as Cameron and Clegg can agree upon a replacement ready to please the Lib Dems," she said.

The Guardian

With less whimsical waffle than its predecessor, The Desolation of Smaug sets off at a comparatively yomping pace and proceeds to throw an endless array of spectacular sights at the audience, eager to dazzle, ready to please.

The Guardian - Film

The subject of Pop's blues was a common one in pop: lust and longing, though Pop gilded the lily with the submissive subtext of his imagery, closing his eyes, feeling a hand, and wanting to be his lover's dog, servile and ready to please.

The Guardian - Music

The Makerbot is a golden retriever, ready to please.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Obsequious, fawning, too-ready-to-please.

WikiHow

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Stanford University

France's leading candidates for the presidency, Mr. Chirac, a conservative, and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, a Socialist, appear ready to try to please both sides.

The New York Times

"Asian women have always been seen as exotic and that we are always ready or willing to please men," said Fran Gau.

Huffington Post

Simons has an air of being both pleased with himself and ready to be pleased by others.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready to please" to convey willingness and enthusiasm to meet the expectations of others. Ensure that the context aligns with the positive and supportive tone of the phrase.

Common error

While "ready to please" indicates a positive attitude, avoid using it excessively as it may project an image of lacking personal initiative or being overly submissive. Balance this expression with displays of competence and independent thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready to please" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone or something that is willing or eager to satisfy others. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ready to please" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating a willingness to satisfy others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is generally correct and appropriate across a range of contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and general conversation. While largely positive, it’s important to avoid overusing the phrase or relying on it excessively, as that may signal a lack of initiative or independence. Alternatives like "happy to oblige" or "willing to assist" can offer a more formal tone, while phrases such as "eager to satisfy" emphasize enthusiasm. Ultimately, understanding the nuances and potential pitfalls of using "ready to please" allows for more effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to satisfy

Emphasizes enthusiasm in meeting expectations, differing in intensity.

willing to assist

Focuses on providing help or support, less about gratification.

happy to oblige

Highlights a cheerful readiness to fulfill a request, with a slightly more formal tone.

at your service

Implies a formal offer of assistance, often in a service-oriented context.

disposed to gratify

Indicates an inclination to satisfy, with a more formal and less common usage.

inclined to accommodate

Focuses on adjusting to someone's needs, rather than direct pleasing.

amenable to requests

Shows openness to suggestions or demands, less personal.

compliant with desires

Highlights adherence to wishes, can imply submissiveness.

subservient to needs

Implies a lower status and obligatory service, a stronger connotation.

obeisant to commands

Suggests a strict adherence to orders, often in a hierarchical context.

FAQs

How can I use "ready to please" in a sentence?

You can use "ready to please" to describe someone's willingness to satisfy others. For instance, "The new employee was eager and "ready to please", always volunteering for extra tasks."

What's a more formal way to say "ready to please"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "happy to oblige" or "willing to assist", which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "ready to please" always a positive attribute?

While generally positive, being excessively "ready to please" can sometimes be perceived as a lack of assertiveness. Balance it with demonstrating independent thinking and competence.

What are some alternatives to "ready to please" that emphasize helpfulness?

If you want to emphasize helpfulness, consider using alternatives like "eager to satisfy" or "amenable to requests", which focus more on providing assistance.