willing me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willing me" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, and its intended meaning is unclear without additional context. Example: "I can't believe you are willing me to do that."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Hopefully Stephen will be there willing me on and feeling proud of what I've achieved," Sutton says.

The Guardian - Sport

I can feel her willing me on.

The Guardian

I could feel them willing me to excel, and I was overcome with a sense of responsibility to excel.

The New Yorker

I suppose they either thought there was something there, or they were willing me to fail.

The Guardian

– but I had a real sense the public were willing me to succeed.

The Guardian

"The lesson went OK, the class was really well behaved and they were willing me to do well, which was a good confidence boost.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

There never seemed any shortage of Biffa Bacon-types in the school years above me willing to punch me squarely in the face for not being enormously "regular".

Independent

"I have a lot of people around me willing to tell me the inconvenient truth if I was wrong," Keselowski said.

Los Angeles Times

He seemed willing to me to go to the length to make the changes necessary to restore confidence in Putnam".

The New York Times

"They will be like, 'There are people behind me willing to invest in me.'".

Vice

Somehow, I doubt Leaf will be willing to send me one to review.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "willing me", opt for clearer alternatives like "encouraging me", "urging me on", or "motivating me" to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "willing me" in formal writing or professional communications. While it might appear in informal contexts, it's not recognized as grammatically sound. Using stronger, clearer verbs ensures your message is well-received.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willing me" functions as a gerund phrase, though its usage deviates from standard grammatical conventions. While Ludwig identifies instances of its use, it is generally considered non-standard. It suggests an action of encouragement or influence directed towards the speaker.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "willing me" appears in various contexts, especially in news and media, it's grammatically non-standard. As Ludwig AI points out, it's not a recognized grammatical construction. For clearer and more effective communication, consider alternatives like "encouraging me", "motivating me", or "urging me on". Opting for these alternatives ensures your writing remains grammatically sound and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging me

This alternative directly replaces "willing" with "encouraging", focusing on the act of giving support and confidence.

urging me on

This phrase replaces "willing" with "urging", suggesting a strong push or persuasion to continue.

motivating me

This alternative focuses on providing a reason or incentive to act in a certain way.

supporting me

This phrase emphasizes providing assistance and approval, creating a positive environment.

rooting for me

This alternative conveys enthusiastic support and hope for success.

cheering me on

Similar to 'rooting for me', this highlights vocal support and encouragement.

inspiring me

This phrase shifts the focus to the act of stimulating creativity or motivation.

believing in me

This emphasizes the confidence and trust placed in someone's abilities.

persuading me

This focuses on the act of convincing someone through reasoning or argument.

pushing me

This alternative implies a stronger, more assertive form of encouragement or pressure.

FAQs

What does "willing me" mean?

The phrase "willing me" is not standard English and doesn't have a clearly defined meaning. It is often interpreted as someone providing support or encouragement. Consider using alternatives like "encouraging me" or "supporting me" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "willing me"?

Several phrases can replace "willing me" depending on the intended meaning. If you want to convey encouragement, use "encouraging me" or "urging me on". For conveying motivation, use "motivating me".

Is "willing me" grammatically correct?

No, "willing me" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "someone is encouraging me" or "someone is supporting me" instead.

How can I use "encouraging me" or "motivating me" in a sentence?

You can use "encouraging me" like this: "My coach was encouraging me to push harder." Similarly, you can use "motivating me" like this: "The thought of success was motivating me to finish the project."