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Prepositions after adjectives

Willing with different prepositions

Willing is most commonly followed by to plus a verb. Other prepositions appear in specific expressions, while willing at is not a standard pattern.

Quick answer

What follows willing?

Use willing to + verb for actions someone agrees to do. Willing for and willing in appear in limited contexts. Willing of is uncommon and formal. Willing at is not standard.

willing to help
willing to negotiate
willing in spirit
willing for change

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
willing to + verb

Agreeing or being ready to do something

This is the standard and most common pattern after willing.

willing to listen
willing to compromise
2
willing for + noun

Wanting or accepting a situation

For can appear when someone supports or desires an outcome.

willing for reform
willing for peace
3
willing in + area/respect

Describing willingness in a particular aspect

In is limited and often literary or formal.

willing in spirit
willing in every respect
4
willing of + noun

Formal expressions of intention

Of after willing is rare and formal, often linked to legal or literary language.

willing of the property
willing of assets

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
willing to
She is willing to relocate.
Ready or prepared to do something.
willing for
Many citizens were willing for change.
Supportive of or open to an outcome.
willing in
He was willing in spirit but tired.
Showing willingness in a particular respect.
willing at
Not standard: willing at the proposal.
At is not normally used directly after willing.
willing of
The document concerned the willing of property.
Rare and formal use related to legal transfer by will.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using at after willing

At is not a normal complement after willing.

✕ She is willing at helping. ✓ She is willing to help.

Using for before a verb

Use to before verbs.

✕ They are willing for cooperate. ✓ They are willing to cooperate.

Overusing willing of

Willing of is rare outside legal contexts.

✕ He is willing of assist us. ✓ He is willing to assist us.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Are you willing ___ travel abroad?
2. The group was willing ___ compromise.
3. Many voters were willing ___ political reform.

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Frequently asked questions

Is willing to the most common pattern?

Yes. It is the standard structure for actions someone is prepared to do.

Can willing for be used in modern English?

Yes, but it is more limited and usually refers to desired outcomes or changes.

Is willing at correct?

No. At is not normally used directly after willing.

warm-in-up-for-to, with wary of, about or in? weak in, on, at, for or from? wealthy in, of, by, from or with? weary of, from, in, with or about? wedded to, by, for, in or into? weekly for, in, on, with or to? weird for, to, about, in or with? "welcome to" or "welcome in"? "welcoming of" or "welcoming to"? "well-known for" or "well-known in"? well-received by, in, at, among or with?

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