were willing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were willing to' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is open or receptive to an idea or suggestion. For example, "The employees were willing to take on more challenging tasks to help their team grow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

"They were willing to work hard.

The New Yorker

"They were willing to wait it out.

The New York Times

"They were willing to pay any price.

The New York Times

We were willing to sacrifice basic freedoms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When detailing negotiations or agreements, "were willing to" emphasizes compromise and flexibility, showing the extent to which parties were ready to adapt.

Common error

Avoid using "were willing to" when describing a situation where someone had no choice. The phrase implies a degree of choice and enthusiasm, not obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were willing to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past state of readiness or consent. It typically precedes an infinitive verb, expressing a subject's openness or inclination to perform a specific action. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were willing to" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to indicate a past state of readiness, agreement, or consent. According to Ludwig, it's a usable part of a sentence in written English. It is most frequently found in news articles and scientific publications, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When using "were willing to", ensure the subject had a choice, and consider related phrases like "were ready to" or "were prepared to" for nuanced expression. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were prepared to

Suggests a state of readiness and anticipation for a particular action or event.

were ready to

Implies a state of being fully equipped and available to perform a specific action.

were inclined to

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

were disposed to

Suggests a natural or habitual tendency or willingness.

were amenable to

Implies a state of being open and receptive to suggestions or proposals.

were agreeable to

Indicates a state of being in agreement or harmony with a particular plan or idea.

were happy to

Expresses pleasure and willingness in performing a particular action.

were eager to

Suggests enthusiasm and strong desire to do something.

were consenting to

Implies formal agreement or permission to a particular action.

were game to

Suggests enthusiasm and adventurous spirit in trying something new or challenging.

FAQs

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

You can use "were willing to" to indicate someone's readiness or openness to do something. For example, "They "were willing to" compromise to reach an agreement."

What are some alternatives to "were willing to"?

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

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was willing to" with singular subjects (e.g., "He was willing to help") and "were willing to" with plural subjects (e.g., "They "were willing to" collaborate").

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

"Were willing to" implies a voluntary action, whereas "were forced to" indicates a lack of choice or coercion. They have opposite meanings; one suggests readiness and the other compulsion.