What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
willingly
Example
She willingly agreed to help me with my project. [willingly: adverb]
Example
He is always willing to lend a hand when needed. [willing: adjective]
freely
Example
The information was freely available on the internet. [freely: adverb]
Example
She spoke freely about her experiences in the interview. [freely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Freely is more commonly used than willingly in everyday language. Freely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while willingly is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between willingly and freely?
Both willingly and freely are relatively informal words, but willingly can be used in more formal contexts to express a positive attitude towards cooperation or assistance.