are highly sensitive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are highly sensitive to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong responsiveness or susceptibility to certain stimuli, conditions, or changes. Example: "The researchers found that the subjects are highly sensitive to changes in temperature, which affected their overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

One-way sensitivity analysis suggests that these results are highly sensitive to the input data.

Health Economics Review

Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis showed that the results are highly sensitive to changes in model parameters.

European Journal of Health Economics

Usually, the fortunes of oil services companies, too, are highly sensitive to oil prices.

The New York Times

Retailers and media companies, which are highly sensitive to economic growth, both had bad days.

The New York Times

Sleepers are highly sensitive to some sounds, like a baby's whine or an unusual thump or voice.

The New York Times - Health

Not surprisingly, they conclude that deltas are "highly sensitive" to the balance between sediment supply and wave energy.

The Guardian

Monitoring bats also helps understand changes in wider ecosystems, including climate change, as they are highly sensitive to environmental change".

The Guardian

Among the big losers last week were financial stocks, which are highly sensitive to interest rate changes.

The New York Times

"I think owners and players are highly sensitive to fan opinion".

The New York Times - Sports

Oil markets are highly sensitive to supply disruptions, and Iraq is a big producer (see chart).

The Economist

Barbels are highly sensitive to touch, and they bear numerous taste buds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are highly sensitive to", ensure that you clearly specify what the subject is sensitive to. This makes the statement more precise and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "are highly sensitive to" without providing context. For example, instead of saying "the system is highly sensitive", specify what aspects of the system are sensitive and under what conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are highly sensitive to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a strong degree of responsiveness or susceptibility. This suggests a marked and easily triggered reaction to certain stimuli or conditions, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are highly sensitive to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a strong responsiveness or susceptibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the subject is sensitive to. Consider alternative phrasing, such as "are very responsive to" or "react strongly to", to add nuance to your writing. This analysis provides a well-rounded understanding for effective and precise usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are extraordinarily sensitive to

Emphasizes the exceptional degree of sensitivity.

are exceedingly sensitive to

Uses a different adverb to convey a high degree of sensitivity.

are acutely sensitive to

Focuses on the sharpness or keenness of the sensitivity.

are exceptionally sensitive to

Highlights the unusual or remarkable level of sensitivity.

are extremely sensitive to

Uses a common adverb to indicate a very high level of sensitivity.

are very responsive to

Shifts the focus from sensitivity to the responsiveness of the subject.

are easily affected by

Indicates that something has a ready influence.

are particularly affected by

Specifies that the subject is notably influenced.

react strongly to

Emphasizes the reaction rather than the inherent sensitivity.

show a marked reaction to

Highlights that the reaction is clearly visible or noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "are highly sensitive to" in a sentence?

You can use "are highly sensitive to" to describe something that is easily affected by something else. For example: "Plants "are highly sensitive to" changes in soil pH."

What's a more formal way to say "are highly sensitive to"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "are exceedingly sensitive to" or "are exceptionally sensitive to" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Which is correct, "are highly sensitive to" or "is highly sensitive to"?

"Are highly sensitive to" is used with plural subjects, while "is highly sensitive to" is used with singular subjects. For example: "The instruments are highly sensitive to vibrations" versus "This instrument is highly sensitive to vibrations."

What can I say instead of "are highly sensitive to"?

You can use alternatives like "are very responsive to", "react strongly to", or "are easily affected by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.