would you be willing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would you be willing to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask somebody to do something, and it implies that they must choose to do so if they agree. For example: "Would you be willing to help me move this weekend?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would you be willing to accept it?

The New Yorker

Would you be willing to go lighter now?

The New York Times - Magazine

Would you be willing to explain the final sentence?

The New Yorker

Would you be willing to co-sponsor it?

The New York Times

Would you be willing to Tweet for credit?

The New York Times

How much would you be willing to change?

The New York Times

Would you be willing to share that prose with us?

University of California, Berkeley

Would you be willing to risk the howls of outrage?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Would you be willing to translate content on Cif?

The Guardian - Opinion

What alternatives would you be willing to take?

The Guardian - Opinion

Would you be willing to put that in writing?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would you be willing to", clearly state the action you are requesting and the potential benefits or consequences for the person involved to facilitate informed consent.

Common error

While "would you be willing to" is generally appropriate, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more direct phrasing like "are you prepared to" or "do you consent to" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would you be willing to" functions as an interrogative expression used to politely request someone's consent or readiness to undertake a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in asking for a favor or seeking agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would you be willing to" is a versatile and polite way to ask for someone's consent or readiness to perform an action. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and sees very common usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While generally neutral, it can be tailored for more formal or informal contexts using related phrases like "are you prepared to" or "do you mind". When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the requested action and its potential consequences are clearly stated. Be mindful of overuse in excessively formal contexts and consider alternatives for more directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would you consent to

Emphasizes the act of giving permission or agreement.

are you prepared to

Focuses on the state of readiness and preparedness for a task.

would you agree to

Highlights the act of coming to a mutual understanding or acceptance.

are you amenable to

Indicates openness and receptiveness to a suggestion or proposal.

are you open to

Similar to 'amenable to', but perhaps slightly less formal.

are you disposed to

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards a particular action.

are you inclined to

Similar to 'disposed to', implying a leaning towards a specific choice.

would you be interested in

Focuses on gauging someone's interest in a potential opportunity.

do you mind

A more informal way of asking if someone objects to something.

could you

A direct and often polite request for assistance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "would you be willing to" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider using alternatives such as "are you prepared to", "do you consent to", or "are you disposed to". These options often carry a more professional tone, particularly in business or academic contexts.

Is it okay to use "would you be willing to" in an email?

Yes, using "would you be willing to" in an email is perfectly acceptable. It strikes a polite and professional tone, making it suitable for various email contexts, especially when requesting something from someone.

What is a less formal way to ask something similar to "would you be willing to"?

For a less formal approach, you could use phrases like "do you mind", "could you", or "are you up for it". These alternatives are more suitable for casual conversations with friends or colleagues.

How does "would you be willing to" differ from "would you be able to"?

"Would you be willing to" inquires about someone's consent or desire to do something, while "would you be able to" questions their capability or capacity to perform the action. Willingness addresses motivation, while ability focuses on the availability of skills or resources.