The usage of willing!
Almost four months ago, I posted a question on a rather well-known English forum about the correct usage of "reflexive and object pronouns". After a long discussion, the admin said that he would need more time to search for the more logical answer. Today, I asked another question on that forum and received this response from him:
- Perhaps I shall soon post my long-overdue reply in the thread of yours concerning the absence of a reflexive pronoun in sentences like "She took her dog with her." I went to great lengths to find information about that!
And I replied:
- I am willing to know your answer. Shall I go to that entry?
He got angry with me and said:
- You are willing to know my answer? Do you think I will be willing to share it with you if you speak to me in that manner? You clearly don't speak English, even though you try to teach it. I wondered if you might be entirely oblivious of when to use "I am willing to . . ." and whether you thought you were speaking politely. Let me assure you that you were NOT talking in a polite manner, even though you thought you were. Were you trying to say, "I would like to know your answer"? If you would like to understand the effect of "I am willing to know your answer," let me know and I'll explain it to you.
Well, by saying "I am willing", I only meant "I am eager to know the final answer for which he has been searching since I posted the question." That's all.
And honestly, I don't understand why he found it offensive. I searched all the dictionaries and found no negative connotation in the adjective "willing".
What's the problem? Am I ignorant of something here?
Top answer
I am willing suggests that you are going to do someone a favour, ie do something that they want you to do. It's not a suitable thing to say to this person who has made efforts on your behalf, but all the teachers I know expect learners of English to make mistakes like this, and would not be offended. t o know is also incorrect.
- I am willing suggests that you are going to do someone a favour, ie do something that they want you to do.
- It's not a suitable thing to say to this person who has made efforts on your behalf, but all the teachers I know expect learners of English to make mistakes like this, and would not be offended.
- t o know is also incorrect.
- Say eg 'to learn'.
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I am willing suggests that you are going to do someone a favour, ie do something that they want you to do.
It's not a suitable thing to say to this person who has made efforts on your behalf, but all the teachers I know expect learners of English to make mistakes like this, and would not be offended.
to know is also incorrect. Say eg 'to learn'.
0anonymousHe got angry with me and said:- You are willing to know my answer? Do you think I will be willing to share it with you if you speak to me in that manner? ...
I find that reply way over the top. I would not bother to have any further communication with him or her.
Maybe "I am willing" was not exactly the most usual way of expressing the thoug
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