was ready to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was ready to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something is prepared to take action or respond to a situation. Example: "After weeks of preparation, she was ready to present her findings at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Entertainment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was ready to scoff.

Independent

Everybody was ready to go".

The New York Times - Sports

I was ready to nap.

The New York Times

I was ready to talk".

The New York Times

I was ready to pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

He was ready to die.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was ready to cry.

The New Yorker

He was ready to work.

The New York Times

He was ready to play.

The New York Times

He was ready to rock.

The New York Times

I was ready to snap".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "prepared", "willing", or "eager" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the verb tense following "was ready to" is appropriate for the context. For example, use "was ready to go" (infinitive) rather than "was ready going" (present participle) unless you're constructing a passive continuous construction, which is unusual with this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ready to" functions primarily as a linking verb followed by an infinitive phrase, indicating a state of preparedness or willingness to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was ready to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate preparedness or willingness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news reports to personal narratives. The phrase is considered neutral in register, ensuring its appropriateness in both formal and informal communication. To enhance writing, consider synonyms such as "prepared", "willing", or "eager", and ensure correct tense usage to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was prepared to

Indicates a state of having made arrangements or provisions; slightly more formal.

was set to

Implies an arrangement or plan has been made; suggests a scheduled event or action.

was about to

Suggests the action was imminent; focuses on timing.

was willing to

Emphasizes volition and consent; focuses on a state of mind.

was poised to

Implies a position of readiness and anticipation; often used in more formal contexts.

was in a position to

Highlights the capability or opportunity to do something.

was on the verge of

Indicates being close to a particular state or action.

was eager to

Expresses enthusiasm and keen anticipation.

was inclined to

Suggests a tendency or disposition towards a particular action.

was game to

Implies enthusiasm and a positive attitude, typically in informal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "was ready to" to describe someone's preparedness or willingness to do something, such as "She "was ready to start" the project" or "He "was ready to help"."

What's a more formal alternative to "was ready to"?

A more formal alternative is "was prepared to", which also conveys a sense of preparedness but is suitable for professional or academic contexts. For example: "The team "was prepared to negotiate" the terms."

Is there a difference between "was ready to" and "was going to"?

Yes, "was ready to" emphasizes preparedness or willingness, while "was going to" simply indicates a planned action. "I "was ready to leave"" suggests I was prepared to depart. "I "was going to leave"" simply states my intention to leave.

What can I say instead of "was ready to" to convey enthusiasm?

To convey enthusiasm, you could use "was eager to", which emphasizes a strong desire or anticipation. For instance, "She "was eager to begin" the new assignment" shows more excitement than "She "was ready to begin"".