willingness to win

USAGE SUMMARY

"willingness to win" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to someone's desire or readiness to succeed or come out on top in a given situation. You can use this phrase when talking about someone's attitude or mindset towards achieving their goals, whether it be in a sports competition, a business venture, or any other aspect of life. Example: John's willingness to win was evident in his determined expression and tireless efforts during the championship game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"They have a willingness to win.

The New York Times - Sports

Hummels praised his side's maturity while Tuchel said "they showed extraordinary attitude and willingness to win".

The Guardian - Sport

At one end of the event Jordan Spieth endorsed his willingness to win back-to-back majors.

The Guardian - Sport

"He has the ability to bring out the best in everyone, to bring out that fighting spirit and willingness to win," Matsui said of Scioscia.

The New York Times - Sports

No. 13 seed Bartoli has not been at her best in this tournament, but her blood-and-guts style of exertion and willingness to win ugly have been oddly captivating, especially with the French crowd consistently supportive of her, if occasionally audibly exhausted by the experience of watching her.

The New York Times

Russian tenacity, stubbornness, and a willingness to win at any cost crushed the Thousand Year Reich in the 20th century, and should not be underestimated in the 21st.Craig Brown Buckholts, TexasSIR – With reference to the claim that a Russian army is no match for a conventional NATO army, I would ask what NATO army?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Spurs could have been four goals to the good by the break, such was the fluency of their attacking and the willingness they showed to win the ball back.

BBC

At the heart of this approach is the willingness to provide "winning" solutions to all parties involved in the migration phenomenon.

Comparative Migration Studies

Some Republicans have criticized Mr. Romney's insistence that federal intervention was wrongheaded as an example of what they see as his willingness to say anything to win over skeptical conservatives.

The New York Times

The fact that it is in direct contradiction of his speech of 2005 suggests either an incredible volte-face with no explanation or the most craven willingness to debase himself to win a debate.

Independent

At times, his remarks in favor of Proposition 11 seemed to echo those of his opponents in New York, who say that his effort to revise term limits would deprive voters of a chance to elect a different mayor, especially given Mr. Bloomberg's willingness to spend $80 million to win re-election.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "willingness to win" to describe a proactive and positive attitude towards achieving goals, especially in competitive contexts. This phrase emphasizes not just the desire, but also the readiness to put in the necessary effort.

Common error

Avoid using "willingness to win" in situations that don't involve competition or a clear goal. Opt for phrases like "enthusiasm", "dedication", or "commitment" when describing general eagerness or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willingness to win" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explained, it denotes the quality of being prepared and motivated to achieve victory in a competitive situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "willingness to win" is a noun phrase that describes a proactive and dedicated approach to achieving success, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for describing competitive situations. While alternatives like "determination to win" and "commitment to win" exist, "willingness to win" uniquely emphasizes both the desire and the readiness to exert effort. Remember to use it when you want to highlight not just the aspiration, but also the active pursuit of victory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determination to win

Focuses on the mental strength and resolve needed to achieve victory.

commitment to win

Emphasizes the dedication and allegiance to achieving victory.

resolve to win

Highlights the firm decision and unwavering purpose to achieve victory.

eagerness to triumph

Shifts the focus to an enthusiastic anticipation of victory.

ambition to succeed

Broadens the scope to general success, rather than specifically winning.

drive for victory

Highlights the internal motivation and energy pushing towards victory.

zeal to prevail

Emphasizes an intense passion and enthusiasm for overcoming challenges and winning.

fighting spirit

Captures the inner strength and tenacity displayed during a competition or challenge.

competitive spirit

Highlights the general desire to compete and excel, not necessarily to win.

will to conquer

Emphasizes a strong desire to overcome obstacles and dominate the competition.

FAQs

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

You can use "willingness to win" to describe someone's attitude in competitive situations. For example, "Her "willingness to win" was evident in her relentless training regimen".

What are some alternatives to "willingness to win"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "determination to win", "commitment to win", or "resolve to win".

Is "willingness to win" formal or informal?

"Willingness to win" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact is strongest when describing competitive scenarios in news, sports, or business.

What distinguishes "willingness to win" from "desire to win"?

"Willingness to win" implies not only a desire but also a proactive readiness to do what it takes to achieve victory, while "desire to win" simply expresses a wish for success.