were willing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were willing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a past willingness or readiness to do something. Example: "They were willing to help us with the project, which made a significant difference in our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some were willing; some weren't".

The New York Times

They were willing to take that risk".

The New York Times - Sports

"And dealers were willing to order".

The New York Times

"We were willing to take a chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Most firms were willing to pay.

The Economist

We were willing to commit more.

The New York Times - Sports

Others were willing to suspend judgment.

The New York Times - Food

"We were willing to listen.

The New York Times - Sports

Only 39percentt were willing.

The New York Times

Servers were willing but slow.

The New York Times

The majority were willing, generous and trusting.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "eager" or "determined" if the situation warrants a more forceful expression of intent.

Common error

Avoid using "were willing" with a singular subject. Remember that "were" is the past tense plural form of "to be". Use "was willing" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were willing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of readiness or inclination to perform a specific action. It connects a subject with their willingness, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were willing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a past state of readiness or agreement. Ludwig AI validates its accurate usage, highlighting its prevalence in news and media contexts. While adaptable, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement and consider stronger synonyms for nuanced expression. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "were willing" to convey past intentions and states of mind. Alternatives to the expression are phrases like "were prepared", "were inclined", or "were ready".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were prepared

Emphasizes readiness and prior arrangement or organization.

were ready

Highlights the state of being completely prepared and available to do something.

showed a readiness

Emphasizes the outward display of being prepared and willing.

were inclined

Highlights a tendency or predisposition toward a particular action or belief.

expressed a willingness

More formal and explicit statement of being willing.

were disposed

Focuses on a state of mind that makes one likely to do something.

were agreeable

Indicates a pleasant willingness and compliance.

were amenable

Indicates an openness and agreement to a proposal or idea.

consented to

Implies formal agreement or permission given for something to happen.

were game

Suggests enthusiasm and eagerness to participate in something, often something risky or challenging.

FAQs

How can I use "were willing" in a sentence?

"Were willing" indicates past readiness or agreement. For example: "They "were willing" to compromise to reach an agreement".

What are some alternatives to "were willing"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "were prepared", "were inclined", or "were ready", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was willing" instead of "were willing"?

Yes, "was willing" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "were willing" is used for plural subjects. For example: "He was willing to help", versus "They were willing to help".

What's the difference between "were willing" and "wanted to"?

"Were willing" implies a readiness or agreement to do something, while "wanted to" expresses a desire or wish. You might have wanted to do something but not necessarily been willing to put in the effort. For example: "They "were willing" to negotiate, even though they "wanted to" stand their ground".