De bon gré

On le fait de bon gré
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Willing French Expression

Meaning willingly, happy to
Literally of good desire
Register normal
Pronunciation [deu bo(n) gray]
IPA   [də bɔ̃ gʁe]

Usage notes: The French expression de bon gré indicates a willingness to do something, with no sense of obligation, hesitation, or displeasure. It’s synonymous with de plein gré and both expressions can be modified with a possessive adjective:

de mon bon gré   de mon plein gré
de ton bon gré   de ton plein gré
de son bon gré   de son plein gré
de notre bon gré   de notre plein gré
de votre bon gré   de votre plein gré
de leur bon gré   de leur plein gré

You can also leave out the adjectives bon and plein:

de mon gré
de ton gré
de son gré
de notre gré
de votre gré
de leur gré

Par exemple…

J’ai fini le travail de bon gré.   I finished the work willingly, I was happy to finish the work.
Elle fait les achats de plein gré.   She’s doing the shopping willingly, She’s happy to do the shopping.
Nous l’achèterons de notre bon gré.   We’ll buy it willingly, We’ll be happy to buy it.
Ils assistent à la réunion de leur gré.   They are attending the meeting willingly, They’re happy to attend the meeting.

Synomyms

  • avec bonne volonté
  • avec plaisir
  • de bon cœur
  • de bonne grâce
  • librement
  • volontairement
  • volontiers

Antonym: de mal gré – reluctantly

Related expression: bon gré mal gré – like it or not

More: Expressions with bon

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De bon gré

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