willingness to

USAGE SUMMARY

It's a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You could use it to describe someone's attitude to a particular task or situation. For example: Her willingness to take on new challenges was inspirational.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His willingness to attack.

The New York Times - Sports

A willingness to forgo sleep.

The New York Times - Books

There is no willingness to take chances.

The New Yorker

Argentina's willingness to negotiate doubtless helped.

The Economist

And their willingness to be photographed naked.

Independent

But Gulliver praises his willingness to experiment.

The Economist

"Our willingness to compromise has its limits".

The New York Times

Cuba's willingness to bring a W.T.O.

The New York Times

Willingness to bear them is a choice".

The New York Times - Books

Mesa's willingness to experiment is impressive.

The Economist

Germany has shown some willingness to bend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "willingness to", ensure that the sentence clearly specifies the action or situation the willingness refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While "willingness to" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider using stronger verbs or more nuanced phrases that directly convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "showing a willingness to compromise", try "demonstrating flexibility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willingness to" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes the state or quality of being prepared or inclined to do something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. The examples in Ludwig show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "willingness to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express readiness or inclination towards a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It appears frequently across diverse contexts, from News & Media to scientific research, signaling its versatility and neutrality. When using "willingness to", ensure clarity by specifying the action it refers to, and consider alternatives like "readiness to" or "inclination to" to add nuance. Remember, while "willingness to" is widely used, avoid overuse in formal contexts to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readiness to

Focuses on the state of being prepared and available for action.

desire to

Emphasizes the wish or longing to perform a certain action.

inclination to

Highlights a natural tendency or urge to do something.

openness to

Suggests a receptive attitude and lack of resistance towards something.

eagerness to

Emphasizes enthusiasm and a strong desire to do something.

enthusiasm for

Focuses on the passion and excitement associated with doing something.

propensity to

Indicates a predisposition or likelihood of behaving in a certain way.

tendency to

Describes a pattern or habit of behaving in a particular manner.

voluntary to

Stresses the unforced and intentional nature of one’s actions.

capacity to

Highlights the inherent or developed ability to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "willingness to" in a sentence?

Use "willingness to" to describe someone's readiness or enthusiasm towards a specific action. For example, "Her willingness to help others made her a valuable team member."

What can I say instead of "willingness to"?

You can use alternatives like "readiness to", "inclination to", or "eagerness to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "willingness to learn" or "willing to learn"?

Both "willingness to learn" and "willing to learn" are grammatically correct, but "willingness to learn" is a noun phrase emphasizing the quality of being willing, while "willing to learn" is part of a verb phrase describing an action. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How does "willingness to" differ from "eager to"?

"Willingness to" implies a general readiness or acceptance, while "eager to" suggests a more enthusiastic and impatient desire. "Willingness to" is more neutral, whereas "eager to" carries a stronger emotional connotation.