was willing

USAGE SUMMARY

"was willing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that somebody had the willingness to do something, despite any potential difficulties or obstacles. For example: "Despite the high evidence standards, the jury was willing to consider the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Only Beltagy was willing.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was willing.

The New Yorker

Chrisemer was willing.

The New Yorker

Zarif was willing.

The New Yorker

He was willing to fight".

The New Yorker

Everybody was willing to pay.

The New York Times

I was willing to die.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Few are willing.

The New York Times

— are willing to accept.

The New York Times

They're willing".

The New York Times

She's willing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was willing", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was willing to do. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses or failing to ensure subject-verb agreement. For instance, instead of "I were willing", use the correct form: "I was willing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was willing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of readiness or inclination to perform an action. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was willing" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a past state of readiness or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "was willing", clarity is key, and writers should ensure the context makes clear what the subject was willing to do. While alternatives like "was ready" or "was inclined" can be used, the specific choice depends on the intended nuance. By avoiding common errors like incorrect verb tenses and ensuring clear context, writers can effectively use "was willing" to convey their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was ready

Indicates a state of preparedness, often implying anticipation of an event or action.

was eager

Expresses a strong desire or enthusiasm to do something.

was prepared

Suggests having made arrangements or taken steps to be ready for something.

was keen

Similar to "eager", implying a strong interest or enthusiasm.

was inclined

Implies a leaning or tendency towards a particular action or belief.

was disposed

Similar to "inclined", suggesting a favorable attitude or feeling towards something.

was agreeable

Indicates a willingness to consent or agree to a proposal.

was amenable

Suggests being open and responsive to suggestion and influence.

was game

Informal way to say someone was enthusiastic and ready to try something new or challenging.

acquiesced

Suggests reluctantly agreeing to something.

FAQs

How to use "was willing" in a sentence?

You can use "was willing" to indicate someone's readiness or inclination to do something. For example, "She "was willing" to help with the project despite her busy schedule".

What can I say instead of "was willing"?

You can use alternatives like "was ready", "was prepared", or "was inclined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was willing to" or "is willing to"?

"Was willing to" is used to describe a past willingness, while "is willing to" describes a present willingness. For example, "He "was willing" to negotiate yesterday" versus "He "is willing" to negotiate now".

What's the difference between "was willing" and "wanted"?

"Was willing" implies a readiness to do something, while "wanted" expresses a desire. Someone "was willing" to help may have agreed to do it even if they didn't particularly desire to, while someone who "wanted" to help actively desired to do so.