Are you 'reluctant'? - Mr Duncan Explains - Learn English Lesson 12 #englishaddictwithmrduncan

There are many things in life that we have to do, even though we would much rather not do it.

Sometimes we feel obliged to do something.

The word ‘obliged’ means something that has to be done.

You have no choice but to do it.

You are obliged to do that particular thing.

The thing you have to do is an obligation.

Perhaps you have agreed to something through a contract.

You have no choice but to do that thing.

It is an agreement you made, so it must be done.

You have no choice.

Perhaps in your job, there is something you dislike doing.

That particular thing is part of your duty.

But it is also something you don't enjoy carrying out.

In life, we often feel as if there are things we must do,

but in reality we would rather avoid.

There is an interesting word in English that describes the feeling of being unwilling to do something.

The word is ‘reluctant’.

You are reluctant to do a certain thing.

The feeling is often described as ‘reluctance’.

This particular feeling often refers to something we are obliged to do.

Perhaps you have to give a speech at your friend's wedding.

Your friend has asked you to do it because they feel that you are the one to carry out that special duty.

However, you do not want to do it.

You are reluctant to give a speech because you feel awkward about speaking in public in front of lots of people.

You are reluctant to do that thing.

The feeling is reluctance.

The word reluctant is an adjective that describes the appearance of being unwilling

and hesitant after being asked to do something important.

A task that must be undertaken,

or a job that must be carried out that one is unwilling to do means that that person is reluctant.

You might appear reluctant to do something through your body language.

The appearance on your face might express the feeling of being unwilling to do one particular thing.

The tone of your voice can also give the impression of being reluctant.

You might agree to something, but your manner clearly shows that you do not want to do it at all.

Another example of reluctant,

is to be unwilling to leave somewhere.

Perhaps you are at a party and you are having such a good time, you feel reluctant to leave.

The noun form of reluctant is ‘reluctance’.

Once again, this relates to being unwilling or hesitant to do a certain task.

The reluctance you feel, the unwillingness to do a certain thing.

You might show your reluctance by being slow to agree to that particular request.

“We noticed that it took you a long time to answer your supervisor's question about working late tonight.”

You seem reluctant to do it.

Synonyms of reluctant include...

...Unwilling,

Loathe, Disinclined,

Baulk, Begrudging.

You are unwilling to do something.

You loathe the thought of having to do that thing.

You are disinclined to do that .

You baulk at the thought of doing it.

You might accept the fact that you must do it, which means you have agreed begrudgingly to do that task.

You say yes, but inside you don't feel like doing it.

You are reluctant. You have reluctance.

You really don't want to do that thing at all.

The opposite of reluctant is ‘keen’.

You are keen to do something.

You are willing to do it.

You have willingness.

You agree to do that thing without any hesitation at all.