willing to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willing to play" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is willing to participate in an activity. For example: My students have been so enthusiastic about the game that they are all willing to play.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!

Vice

I'm not willing to play".

The New York Times

"I wasn't willing to play that again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Neither is willing to play the weakling.

The Guardian

I'm willing to play more or be more playful".

The New Yorker

I would have been willing to play for less".

The New York Times

And the other party may be willing to play along.

The New York Times

Would Benjamin be willing to play with Woods?

The New York Times

He is, understandably, not willing to play that game.

The New York Times

But some were at least willing to play along.

The New York Times - Sports

"You've got to be willing to play the odds".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "willing to play" with more descriptive synonyms like "eager to participate" or "inclined to join" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "willing to play" without specifying the context, potentially leading to ambiguity. Ensure that the intended activity or role is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willing to play" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated subject, followed by an infinitive verb. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and indicates a state of readiness or inclination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "willing to play" is a common and versatile expression indicating a readiness to participate or cooperate, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct, it functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, expressing a state of openness to engage. It's predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, exhibiting a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While versatile, ensure the context clarifies the activity for precision. Synonyms like "eager to play" or "inclined to join" can add nuance. Remember to use "willing to play" in both informal and formal settings, but being mindful of the degree of formality, it is very useful to clearly point out the activity the subject is willing to play.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to play

Indicates a strong enthusiasm or desire to participate.

ready to participate

Emphasizes preparedness and availability for involvement.

inclined to participate

Suggests a natural tendency or leaning towards joining in.

prepared to engage

Highlights the readiness to get involved and interact.

disposed to join

Implies a favorable attitude or willingness to become part of something.

amenable to playing

Indicates an agreement or consent to participate.

agreeable to joining

Suggests a willingness to concur and become involved.

happy to take part

Expresses pleasure and willingness to participate.

open to playing

Suggests a receptive attitude and a lack of resistance to participating.

not opposed to playing

Implies a lack of objection or disapproval towards participating.

FAQs

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

You can use "willing to play" to describe someone's readiness to participate in an activity. For example, "The team is "willing to play" any opponent" or "She is "willing to play" the role of mediator".

What are some alternatives to "willing to play"?

Alternatives include "eager to play", "ready to participate", "inclined to join", or "prepared to engage" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "willing to play" or "willing to participate"?

Both are correct, but "willing to play" often implies a more informal or game-like setting, while "willing to participate" is generally more formal and applicable to a wider range of activities.

What does it mean when someone says they are "willing to play ball"?

Saying someone is "willing to play ball" is an idiom that means they are "willing to play" along, cooperate, or compromise to achieve a mutual goal.