are disposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are disposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular action or behavior. Example: "They are disposed to help others in need, often volunteering their time and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are disposed to listen.

The Economist

So electorates are disposed to reward good economic stewardship.

Independent

Does it mean that most young people in Molenbeek are disposed to become violent jihadists?

The Guardian - Opinion

When they first hear his name, people are disposed to laugh; they're ready to laugh.

The New Yorker

"With these proposals, we are disposed to negotiating," said Carlos Fernández, leader of the country's most influential business group.

The New York Times

If you are disposed to believe this argument, there is probably nothing I could say to dissuade you, anyway.

The New Yorker

When America's patriotism turns this "garrulous," as Alexis de Tocqueville once observed, it "wearies even those who are disposed to respect it".

The New York Times

"The success of the Ricardo Lagos government will mean success for the country," Mr. Riesco said, "and we businessmen are disposed to work for the good of all".

The New York Times

Instead, Shanghai Disney arrives at a time when the Chinese possess greater bargaining power than ever and are disposed to being selective in their accommodation of foreign entities.

The New Yorker

We are disposed to read Julius's reflections for their so-called content, whereas we do better to read them in relief, for what they say about him.

The Guardian - Books

Alexis de Tocqueville complained that "It is impossible to conceive a more troublesome or more garrulous patriotism; it wearies even those who are disposed to respect it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are disposed to" when you want to express a natural inclination or tendency towards a particular behavior or thought. It suggests a predisposition rather than a conscious choice.

Common error

Avoid confusing "are disposed to", which means inclined or tending towards, with "dispose of", which means to get rid of something. The context should make the intended meaning clear, but careful word choice prevents ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are disposed to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a tendency, inclination, or predisposition towards something. It modifies the subject by describing a likelihood or propensity for a specific action or state, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are disposed to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a tendency or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. Its primary function is to express a natural predisposition rather than a conscious decision. The phrase is versatile, appearing in neutral to slightly formal registers, making it suitable for news, academic, and professional writing. While "are disposed to" is common, writers should be mindful not to confuse it with similar-sounding phrases like "dispose of". Consider using synonyms like "are inclined to" or "tend to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inclined to

Indicates a tendency or preference, similar to "are disposed to" but perhaps suggesting a slightly weaker inclination.

tend to

Expresses a general pattern or habit, closely related to "are disposed to" in meaning.

have a tendency to

A more verbose way of expressing a similar idea of inclination or habitual behavior.

are prone to

Suggests a susceptibility to something, often negative, which "are disposed to" doesn't necessarily imply.

are apt to

Similar to “are inclined to” but often used when something is likely or probable to happen.

are apt to

Indicates a natural tendency or suitability, similar but slightly more formal than "are disposed to".

are liable to

Implies a risk or potential consequence, which "are disposed to" does not directly convey.

are given to

Indicates a habitual action, especially one considered to be undesirable.

are wont to

An archaic way of expressing a habitual action or custom.

are willing to

Focuses more on willingness or readiness rather than inherent tendency.

FAQs

How can I use "are disposed to" in a sentence?

Use "are disposed to" to describe a tendency or inclination. For example, "People "are disposed to believe" information that confirms their existing biases."

What phrases are similar to "are disposed to"?

Similar phrases include "are inclined to", "tend to", and "are prone to depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is "are disposed to" formal or informal?

"Are disposed to" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing. More informal alternatives exist for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "are disposed to" and "are willing to"?

"Are disposed to" implies a natural inclination or tendency, while "are willing to" indicates a readiness or agreement to do something. The former is about predisposition, the latter about volition.