willingness

USAGE SUMMARY

"willingness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe someone's readiness to do something. For example, "I was impressed by his willingness to help others in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a willingness of the heart".

The Guardian - Books

She said: "It was very heartening to see the support being offered by Mr Clegg and the Lib Dems and the willingness to build on our existing relationship to continue working together building a fairer society.

The Guardian

"Of course, Owen goes with our best wishes," said Easterby before adding: "We'd like to be clear that we had discussed a new contract with him, and made his representative fully aware of our willingness to discuss securing his future as a rugby professional with us.

The Guardian - Sport

Culturally, at least, Brisbane stands out for its willingness to play along.

The Guardian - Music

Even here, in what should be Mirabella's heartland, there is a willingness to consider McGowan.

The Guardian

Early attempts to introduce payment by results into public services may have been met with scepticism, but the coalition government made important progress in developing new commissioning mechanisms that focus on paying for outcomes rather than simply paying for services, and showed a willingness to learn.

The Guardian

Critics may worry that she is too tribally Labour and that her media performances are too wooden at a time when politicians are under pressure to show a bit more personality, reach out to a broader audience and show a willingness to say what they really think.

The Guardian

Gohmert said his decision was motivated by his and his colleagues' frustration with Boehner's willingness to reach agreements with Democrats on basic spending legislation.

The Guardian

Here Schürrle had a secondary role too, his acceleration and willingness to run behind Arsenal's high defensive line a vital quality in the absence of a genuinely pacy centre-forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Juncker said Tsipras had failed to mention to parliament his (Juncker's) willingness to negotiate over Greek pensions.

The Guardian

The real test of this government's willingness to accept historical truth will be whether it sends a senior minister – or any minister at all – to the genocide commemoration in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, on 24 April.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willingness" to describe a state of mind where someone is prepared to do something if needed or asked. For example, "Show a "willingness" to compromise during negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "willingness" when the situation implies a mandatory action or duty. "Willingness" suggests a voluntary inclination, not a required action.

Linguistic Context

The noun "willingness" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It represents the state of being willing or inclined to do something. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, reflecting a positive disposition or readiness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

5%

Opinion

3%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "willingness" is a versatile noun that signifies the state of being prepared and inclined to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Its prevalence across diverse contexts, from news and media to business and personal communications, underscores its importance in conveying readiness and a cooperative spirit. While synonyms like "readiness", "eagerness", and "inclination" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, understanding the nuances of each term ensures precise communication. Remember to use "willingness" to express voluntary inclination, and avoid using it in situations implying obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readiness

Focuses on the state of being prepared and available, differing slightly in its emphasis on immediacy.

eagerness

Implies enthusiasm and a strong desire, adding an emotional component absent in "willingness".

inclination

Suggests a natural tendency or predisposition, making it a more passive form of "willingness".

propensity

Highlights a pre-existing likelihood or habit, indicating a greater chance of something occurring.

agreeableness

Emphasizes the cooperative and compliant aspect, highlighting the readiness to concur or consent.

cooperation

Stresses collaboration and joint effort, making it a more active demonstration of "willingness".

acquiescence

Indicates passive acceptance without active enthusiasm, often implying resignation or compliance.

consent

Highlights the granting of permission or approval, focusing on the legitimization of an action.

compliance

Focuses on adhering to rules or requests, emphasizing obedience and conformity.

amenability

Suggests a receptive and cooperative attitude, highlighting an openness to suggestions or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "willingness" in a sentence?

You can use "willingness" to describe someone's readiness to do something. For example, "Her "willingness" to help others was commendable." or "The company showed a "willingness" to invest in new technologies."

What are some synonyms for "willingness"?

Alternatives to "willingness" include "readiness", "eagerness", "inclination", and "propensity", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "willingness to do" or "willingness of doing"?

The correct form is "willingness to do". For example, "a "willingness to help"" is grammatically correct, whereas "a willingness of helping" is not.

What's the difference between "willingness" and "desire"?

"Willingness" implies a readiness to act, whereas "desire" simply indicates a wish or longing. You can have a "desire" without having the "willingness" to take action, and vice versa.