were amenable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were amenable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is open to suggestions, willing to cooperate, or agreeable to a proposal. Example: "The committee members were amenable to the changes proposed by the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Understandably angry with Scargill's virulence, they were amenable to defection.

The Guardian

Fortunately, there were still a few Republicans, even conservatives, who were amenable to reason.

The New Yorker

Smaller recessions have been brought on simply by the inventory-business cycle, but they, too, were amenable to Fed stimulus.

The New York Times

But several officials, reached by telephone on Wednesday, said they were amenable to the idea.

The New York Times

The PSB were amenable to her autograph requests for Lynda's stepdaughter Leonie ("L-E-O-N-I-E," spelt Lynda, carefully, for Neil).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Local, state and federal agencies were amenable to the project, Ms. Dickey said, because Head Start services are greatly needed in Paterson.

The New York Times

Even if they were amenable to another date, snow isn't the only weather that can mess up travel.

The New York Times

In telephone interviews on Wednesday, officials in several other communities said they were amenable to the idea.

The New York Times

Through my sister I had heard about two young architects, Elizabeth Pratt and David Black, who work for firms but were amenable to taking on a side job.

The New York Times

She estimated that about 70percentt of the doctors who came to the institute had problems that were amenable to some kind of educational solution.

The New York Times - Health

As a result, when the Western powers crushed the Boxer Rebellion, they were amenable to lenient terms for China in the final peace settlement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were amenable to", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom the subject is willing to accept or consider. Clarity prevents ambiguity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because someone "were amenable to" one suggestion, they're automatically open to all suggestions. Clearly define the boundaries of their willingness to prevent overreach and maintain positive relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were amenable to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's willingness or receptiveness towards something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were amenable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating a willingness or receptiveness to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a range of contexts from scientific to news media. While alternatives like "were receptive to" or "were open to" exist, "were amenable to" carries a nuanced implication of ease and positive inclination. When employing this phrase, ensure that the object of amenability is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively integrate "were amenable to" into their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were receptive to

Indicates a positive attitude toward receiving or considering something; focuses on openness to new ideas or suggestions.

were open to

Suggests a willingness to consider or accept something; emphasizes a lack of resistance or prejudice.

were agreeable to

Implies consent or willingness to comply with a request or proposal; emphasizes agreement and cooperation.

were responsive to

Highlights a prompt and positive reaction to a stimulus; emphasizes sensitivity and attentiveness.

were compliant with

Highlights adherence to rules or expectations; emphasizes obedience and conformity.

were adaptable to

Indicates the capacity to adjust to new conditions or changes; focuses on flexibility and resilience.

were susceptible to

Indicates vulnerability or proneness to being affected by something; focuses on a lack of resistance.

were inclined to

Suggests a tendency or predisposition toward a particular action or belief; emphasizes a natural leaning.

were persuaded by

Indicates that someone was convinced to believe or do something; emphasizes the influence of external factors.

were easily influenced by

Suggests a high degree of susceptibility to external persuasion; emphasizes a lack of independent judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "were amenable to" in a sentence?

Use "were amenable to" to indicate that individuals or groups were receptive or willing to consider a proposal, suggestion, or change. For example, "The team members "were amenable to" the revised schedule".

What are some alternatives to "were amenable to"?

You can use alternatives such as "were receptive to", "were open to", or "were agreeable to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "were amenable to" or "were willing to"?

"Were amenable to" and "were willing to" are similar, but "were amenable to" often implies a greater sense of receptiveness or ease in accepting something. "Were willing to" simply indicates a lack of objection, while "were amenable to" suggests a positive inclination.

How formal is the phrase "were amenable to"?

The phrase "were amenable to" is considered fairly neutral in formality and suitable for both professional and academic contexts. However, it might sound slightly more formal than simpler alternatives like "were open to" or "were fine with".