upon willingness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon willingness" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something will happen based on someone's willingness or consent. Example: "The project will proceed upon willingness of all team members to participate."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Participating herds were conveniently selected based upon willingness to cooperate, but independent of any disease history.

BMC Veterinary Research

At present, information upon willingness to pay and the utility to patients of genetic testing and presymptomatic surveillance for familial cancer is sparse.

British Journal of Cancer

The context of focus groups - in the workplace, with colleagues - is likely to have impacted upon willingness to express views on alcohol and alcohol use that were felt to be counter to group expectations.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

39 However, agreed-upon maximum willingness-to-pay thresholds can vary from one to three times GDP per capita.

BMJ Open

Olmert, who lacks Sharon's charisma and security credentials, could not afford to run a campaign based upon vague promises of bringing peace based upon a willingness for "painful compromises", as Sharon did.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are dependent upon your willingness to take that ride with us.

The New York Times

Because of the Mackay doctrine, workers in the U.S. are ultimately dependent upon employers' willingness to bargain in good faith.

The New Yorker

Because relatively little of LSG Sky Chef's sales come from Lufthansa, it depends upon airlines' willingness to outsource.

The Economist

The construction of buildings depends upon the willingness of investors to make capital available for them, and taxes affect that willingness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But raising children is not just another form of personal satisfaction; the flourishing of the entire society depends upon the willingness to undertake it.

The New York Times - Books

As a result, the United States government already depends upon the willingness of foreigners, notably the Chinese, to cover its budgetary shortfalls by purchasing its bonds.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon willingness", ensure the context clearly establishes whose willingness is being referred to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "upon willingness" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrases like "if someone is willing" or "depending on someone's willingness" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon willingness" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a condition or basis for something. It specifies that a certain action, outcome or condition is contingent or dependent on someone's readiness or consent to do something. According to Ludwig's suggestions, this phrase could be used in a more concise way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon willingness" is a phrase indicating that something is conditional or dependent on someone's readiness or consent. While grammatically acceptable, it tends to be more formal and is more commonly found in scientific and news contexts. As pointed out by Ludwig, it's often replaceable with simpler and more direct alternatives, such as "depending on willingness" or "if someone is willing", especially in informal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity about whose willingness is being referenced. While not incorrect, the phrase's formality suggests careful consideration of the audience and context. Other options that you could use are: "contingent on readiness", "dependent on cooperation" or "subject to consent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contingent upon agreement

Replaces "willingness" with the more formal term "agreement," indicating a reliance on a formal consensus.

contingent on readiness

Replaces "willingness" with "readiness", focusing on a state of being prepared and available.

dependent on cooperation

Shifts the focus to the act of cooperating, implying a reliance on collaborative consent.

depending on desire

Uses "desire" to underscore the role of wanting something in influencing the situation.

subject to consent

Highlights the necessity of explicit agreement or permission.

conditional on acceptance

Replaces "willingness" with "acceptance", which suggest an action is subject to approval and satisfaction.

conditional on accord

Uses "accord" to emphasize agreement and harmony as the basis for the condition.

reliant on compliance

Focuses on the act of adhering to a request or rule, suggesting a dependency on obedience.

predicated on desire

Emphasizes that the action or outcome is based on a strong feeling of wanting something.

based on inclination

Highlights a tendency or preference as the determining factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "upon willingness" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "depending on willingness", "based on willingness", or "if someone is willing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "upon willingness" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "upon willingness" tends to sound more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

Which prepositions commonly pair with "willingness"?

"Willingness" is often used with prepositions like "to" (willingness to participate) or, as in the query phrase, "upon". However, other prepositions are not impossible depending on the phrase and the meaning you try to convey.

What does it mean when something is "dependent upon willingness"?

It means the outcome or success of something relies on someone's readiness or consent to do something. If they are not willing, the outcome may be different or impossible.