they were willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were willing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express someone's readiness or openness to do something in various contexts. Example: "After much discussion, they were willing to compromise on the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were willing to take that risk".

The New York Times - Sports

"They were willing to wait it out.

The New York Times

"They were willing to pay any price.

The New York Times

"They were willing to work hard.

The New Yorker

But they were willing to discuss trends.

The New York Times

(But they were willing to take care of her cat).

The New York Times

"They were willing to agree to my number".

The New Yorker

By the end, they were willing to do something.

The New Yorker

But in private they were willing to discuss their concerns.

The New York Times

House Republicans said they were willing to provide that amount.

The New York Times

But he added that they were willing to bargain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were willing" to demonstrate someone's openness, acceptance, or lack of resistance to a proposition or course of action.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb forms with "willing". For instance, it's incorrect to say "they were willingly go". The correct usage is "they were willing to go". Always ensure a proper infinitive verb follows "willing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were willing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the subject's readiness or disposition to perform an action. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is used in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were willing" is a versatile phrase used to convey readiness or agreement. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business domains. While direct and clear, remember to specify what the subject was willing to do to avoid any ambiguity. Consider using synonyms like "they were ready" or "they agreed" for variety. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were ready

A simpler and more direct way of expressing readiness.

they agreed

Expresses a mutual understanding and acceptance.

they were inclined

Employs 'inclined' to suggest a tendency or leaning towards something.

they accepted

Suggests a passive agreement or acknowledgment.

they were disposed

Uses a more formal and less common verb to indicate inclination.

they were amenable

Highlights their openness and receptiveness to the idea.

they were prepared

Focuses on readiness and preparedness for a specific action.

they consented

Indicates formal agreement or permission.

they were game

An informal way of saying they were enthusiastic or ready for something.

they embraced

Implies a more active and positive acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "they were willing" in a sentence?

Use "they were willing" to indicate that a group of people were ready or agreeable to a particular action or idea. For example, "They were willing to compromise on the terms of the contract."

What are some alternatives to "they were willing"?

You can use alternatives such as "they were ready", "they agreed", or "they were inclined" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they were willingly" instead of "they were willing"?

No, "they were willingly" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were willing", followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., "they were willing to help").

What is the difference between "they were willing" and "they were forced"?

"They were willing" implies a voluntary agreement or readiness to do something, while "they were forced" suggests coercion or a lack of choice. The former indicates consent, while the latter indicates compulsion.