willingness to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willingness to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an openness or readiness to engage in a particular state or action. Example: "Her willingness to be open to new ideas made her a valuable team member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And their willingness to be photographed naked.

Independent

"Let's test the president's willingness to be bipartisan," he said.

The New York Times

Wambach's strength has always been her willingness to be aggressive.

The New York Times - Sports

There's a willingness to be coarse and crass.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet Mr. Larson also detected a willingness to be patient.

The New York Times

"And I appreciate your willingness to be practical in Washington.

The New York Times

"We welcome Labor's willingness to be in this space.

The Guardian

His willingness to be himself, break down barriers".

The Guardian - Music

But he has, unlike Romney, a nastiness to it, a willingness to be critical.

The New Yorker

What has struck people lately has been his willingness to be so strident.

The New York Times - Sports

This would indicate a willingness to be co-operative, at least for a while.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willingness to be" to emphasize a proactive and voluntary acceptance of a state or condition. For example, "The company's willingness to be transparent improved its public image."

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, consider more concise alternatives such as "readiness" or "openness". Overuse of "willingness to be" can sometimes make the writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willingness to be" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object in a sentence, typically followed by an adjective or verb describing the state or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "willingness to be" is a versatile expression that denotes a proactive acceptance or readiness towards a state or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While "willingness to be" is generally appropriate, considering context-specific alternatives like "readiness to be" or "openness to being" can enhance precision. Avoiding overuse in highly formal writing is also advisable to maintain conciseness. Overall, "willingness to be" is a valuable phrase for conveying a positive and receptive attitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

readiness to be

Focuses on the state of being prepared or ready, emphasizing anticipation.

openness to being

Highlights a receptive attitude or lack of resistance towards a certain condition.

inclination to be

Suggests a natural tendency or leaning towards a specific state.

eagerness to be

Emphasizes enthusiasm and a strong desire for something.

determination to be

Highlights resolve and firmness in pursuing a particular state.

availability to be

Stresses the possibility of being reached or used.

preparedness to be

Emphasizes the act of making oneself ready and suitable.

disposition to be

Implies a customary way of acting or thinking.

aptitude to be

Suggests a natural ability or talent for a certain condition.

tendency to be

Highlights a likelihood or probability of acting or behaving a certain way.

FAQs

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

You can use "willingness to be" to describe someone's readiness or openness to experience something. For example, "His willingness to be vulnerable allowed him to form deeper connections."

What are some alternatives to "willingness to be"?

Alternatives include "readiness to be", "openness to being", or "inclination to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "willingness to be" or "willingness to become"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "willingness to be" generally refers to accepting a current or potential state, while "willingness to become" implies a change or progression into a different state.

In what contexts is "willingness to be" most appropriate?

"Willingness to be" is suitable in a variety of contexts, from describing personal traits to organizational strategies. It suggests a positive and proactive approach to a situation, making it useful in both formal and informal settings.