Is It Correct to Say “I’m at Your Disposal”?

The phrase “I’m at your disposal” may look like a strange sequence of words, especially if English is not your first language.

But fret not! In this article, we explain the meaning of this phrase and provide some useful synonyms that you can use in its place.

Is It Correct to Say “I’m at Your Disposal”?

The phrase “I’m at your disposal” is an exaggerated idiom. It is perfectly grammatically correct and essentially means that you are happy to assist or serve someone else. E.g., “Just let me know if you need anything, I’m at your disposal.”

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The phrase “I’m at your disposal” is a known idiom in English and is grammatically correct.
• Three other ways to say “I’m at your disposal” are “I’m at your service”, “I’m ready, willing, and able”, and “I’m at your command”.
• If you tell someone “I’m at your disposal”, this simply means you are happy to assist them.

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According to the Cambridge Dictionary, if something is at your disposal, this means that it is available to be used by you.

As such, the phrase “I’m at your disposal” is used when you want to suggest that you are there to be used by another person, typically for your help or services.

This phrase is correct English, but it is intentionally hyperbolic.

Obviously, no human being is truly “disposable”, and although this phrase is essentially saying that someone can use you how they like, it is rarely meant to be taken this literally.  Rather, it simply means that someone you’re happy to assist in some way.

Consider the following examples to see “I’m at your disposal” in a sentence:

• If you’d like an expert opinion on your decorating at any point, I am at your disposal.
• Don’t hesitate to call if you need a hand – I’ve taken the day off, so I’m completely at your disposal!

We now know that this phrase is grammatically correct. However, if you’d prefer not to imply that you are at someone’s disposal, let’s have a look at what to say instead of “I’m at your disposal” to express a similar willingness to help.

Other Ways to Say “I’m at Your Disposal”

Other ways to say “I’m at your disposal” are “I’m at your service”, “I’m ready, willing, and able”, and “I’m at your command”.  You will find that most of these synonyms are directly interchangeable with “I’m at your disposal”, although they might carry slightly different connotations.

1. I’m at Your Service

“I’m at your service” is a great formal alternative to “I’m at your disposal”. According to Merriam-Webster, to be at someone’s service means you are “ready or available for someone’s use”.

This is the exact definition attributed to “at someone’s disposal”. Therefore, you can use this phrase to let someone know that your services are available to them.

Let’s see this phrase in an email example:

• Dear Mrs. Preslin
• I see that the new auditorium projector has arrived.
• If you need any assistance with the installation, I’m at your service.
• Warm Regards,
• Ken Restive (School IT)

2. I’m Ready, Willing, and Able

If you’re wondering how to say “I’m at your disposal” with less subservience but more enthusiasm, “I’m ready, willing, and able” is a great choice.

This phrase contains three adjectives with distinct meanings. To be “ready” means that you are physically or mentally prepared to do something. To be “willing” means you are actively choosing or even eager to do something.  Finally, to be “able” means you are capable of doing something.

When combined, all these adjectives form a phrase that essentially means you are keen to immediately assist however you can and that you have the capacity to do so.

Let’s see this phrase in an example:

• Dear Heather,
• Hope you’re doing well and enjoying motherhood, sis!
• Remember, if you ever need a babysitter for the little one, I’m ready, willing, and able.
• Lots of love to you, Monique, and baby Hope.
• Ashley

3. I’m at Your Command

Another way to say “I’m at your disposal” is “I’m at your command” or “I’m yours to command”.

From the Cambridge Dictionary:

• If someone says that they are at your command, that person is willing to do what you ask

Once again, this is another phrase that expresses subservience and a willingness to do someone’s bidding.

Since there are only a few circumstances in which someone is really in a position to issue commands, people will likely use this phrase sarcastically to create humor. Although you’re happy to help, you may use this phrase to point out that the other person is a tad bossy.

Consider the following example:

• Dear Kyle,
• I wanted to let you know that I have completed your list of tasks, including the especially fun one, whereby I had to visit your office and get trapped in small talk with all your lovely coworkers.
• By all means, keep me working.
• As you know, until you’re well again, I’m at your command.
• With endless love,
• Matthew

4. Obediently Yours

According to the Collins Dictionary, “obedient” means “willing to obey; complying with or submissive to authority”.

Therefore, like our other alternatives, saying “obediently yours” essentially means that you will obey the commands or submit to the authority of the other person.

You can use “obediently yours” to sign off a letter or, in modern times, an email. We may consider this phrase somewhat archaic by today’s standards. As such, it will generally be used in a tongue-in-cheek manner if at all.

Consider the following example:

• Dear Mairie,
• I have sent out your suit for delivery and it should arrive before the conference on Wednesday.
• I appreciated the frantic tone with which you demanded this errand and would be pleased to have more commands shouted directly into my ear on a cellular device if you’d be so willing.
• Obediently yours,
• James

What Does “I’m At Your Disposal” Mean?

The phrase “I’m at your disposal” can be confusing if you are not a native English speaker. After all, the Cambridge Dictionary defines “disposal” as meaning “the act of getting rid of something, especially by throwing it away”.

However, when something is “at your disposal” this means that it is available for you to use and, by implication, once it is used, it can be discarded.

When a person says “I’m at your disposal”, English speakers generally know that this idiomatic phrase should not be taken literally. The person is not offering to be used and then discarded.

Rather, this phrase is purposefully hyperbolic (or exaggerative). By implying that one is willing to be used for another person’s benefit, you are simply expressing that you are more than happy to help and that the task is not burdensome to you.

In conclusion, “I’m at your disposal” simply means “I’m happy to help you with whatever you need”.