was eager to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was eager to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or enthusiasm to do something in the past. Example: "She was eager to start her new job and meet her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was eager to help".

The New Yorker

She was eager to succeed.

The New York Times

Neither army was eager to waste lives.

The New Yorker

He was eager to buy anyway.

The New York Times

Chung, by contrast, was eager to help.

The New Yorker

I was eager to hear his advice.

The New York Times

He was eager to repay his debt.

The New Yorker

But she was eager to defend herself.

The New York Times

He was eager to show me around.

The New Yorker

The judge was eager to help.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Everyone is eager to help".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was eager to", ensure it aligns with the subject's character and the context. For instance, describing a meticulous researcher as "was eager to overlook details" would be incongruous.

Common error

Avoid using "is eager to" when referring to a past event. For example, instead of saying "He is eager to help yesterday", use "He was eager to help yesterday" to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was eager to" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing their state of mind or inclination towards a particular action. Ludwig AI examples show its use to express past desires, enthusiasm, or willingness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was eager to" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction for expressing past enthusiasm or willingness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is commonly employed in News & Media, Academic and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, it's important to maintain tense consistency and choose synonyms like "was keen to" or "was enthusiastic about" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Use "was eager to" to clearly express a past desire, and be mindful of avoiding tense errors. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering its usage can significantly enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was keen to

Emphasizes enthusiasm and interest, similar to "was eager to" but with a slightly different tone.

was enthusiastic about

Highlights the positive emotions associated with anticipating an event or action.

was willing to

Focuses on the readiness to do something, often implying cooperation or agreement.

was disposed to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards something.

was inclined to

Indicates a leaning or preference towards a particular course of action.

was impatient to

Expresses a sense of wanting something to happen without delay, adding a nuance of restlessness.

was anxious to

Implies a slight worry or nervousness alongside the desire for something to happen, which can change the tone slightly.

was dying to

An informal way to say that someone really wanted to do something. Note that this has to be used carefully, in the correct context.

couldn't wait to

Expresses strong anticipation and excitement, often used in informal contexts.

was all too happy to

Conveys a sense of delight and readiness, suggesting the person was very pleased to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "was eager to" in a sentence?

Use "was eager to" to indicate a past feeling of strong desire or enthusiasm. For example, "She was eager to start her new job."

What are some alternatives to "was eager to"?

You can use alternatives like "was keen to", "was willing to", or "was enthusiastic about" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is eager to" when talking about the past?

No, use "was eager to" when referring to a past feeling or action. "Is eager to" indicates a present desire, while "was eager to" correctly expresses a past desire.

What's the difference between "was eager to" and "was anxious to"?

"Was eager to" implies enthusiasm and positive anticipation. "Was anxious to" suggests a mix of eagerness and slight worry or nervousness about the outcome.