be amenable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be amenable to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be willing to do something or to be agreeable to an idea. For example, "John was amenable to my suggestion to meet for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Macedonian conflict should be amenable to resolution.

The New York Times

But one factor, stride length, might be amenable to change.

The New York Times - Health

He might be amenable to a deferred prosecution.

The New Yorker

Certain types of jobs will never be amenable to telecommuting.

The Washington Post

The theory should be amenable to empirical investigation.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

The problem is too large and deep-rooted to be amenable to modest reformism.

The New Yorker

Torrellas believes manufacturers will be amenable to a system like Phoenix, particularly as hardware problems grow.

MIT Technology Review

Truly feral cats will never be amenable to living with humans.

Britannica

They become mere quantities that may be amenable to prediction and manipulation.

The Guardian - Books

Others felt the system would never be amenable to internal reform.

The New Yorker

I didn't think marriage would be amenable to the guys I was dating or to me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be amenable to" when you want to convey openness and willingness to consider or accept something, but avoid overusing it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "be open to" or "be willing to" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "amenable" when you mean "amiable". "Amenable" means willing to agree or accept, while "amiable" means friendly or pleasant. For example, say "He is amenable to changes in the plan", not "He is an amiable person to negotiate with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be amenable to" functions primarily as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the subject's characteristic of being receptive, agreeable, or willing towards something. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where subjects (people, systems, data) are described as possessing this quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

55%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be amenable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies willingness or receptiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears in a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, and is best suited for neutral to formal communication. While versatile, it's important to distinguish "amenable" from "amiable" and to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. By understanding its nuances and typical usage, you can effectively incorporate "be amenable to" into your writing to convey openness and a positive attitude toward new ideas or changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be receptive to

Emphasizes a positive attitude towards receiving or accepting something.

be open to

Suggests a willingness to consider new ideas or suggestions.

be agreeable to

Indicates a willingness to agree or consent to something.

be inclined to

Implies a tendency or leaning towards a particular action or belief.

be willing to

Directly expresses a readiness to do something.

be disposed to

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

be susceptible to

Highlights a vulnerability or likelihood of being affected by something.

be responsive to

Focuses on reacting positively to external stimuli or requests.

be adaptable to

Highlights the ability to adjust and thrive in new circumstances.

be easily persuaded to

Emphasizes the capacity to be convinced to agree with or accept something.

FAQs

How can I use "be amenable to" in a sentence?

You can use "be amenable to" to indicate a willingness or openness to something. For example: "The company is "be amenable to" suggestions from its employees", or "The data was shown to "be amenable to" fits using the Johnson–Cook constitutive model."

What is a good alternative to "be amenable to"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "be receptive to", "be open to", or "be agreeable to".

Is it more formal to say "be amenable to" than "be open to"?

Yes, "be amenable to" is generally considered more formal than "be open to". The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "be amenable to" and "be susceptible to"?

"Be amenable to" implies a willingness or agreeableness, while "be susceptible to" suggests a vulnerability or likelihood of being affected by something. They are not interchangeable. For example, "He is amenable to new ideas" means he's open to them, whereas "He is susceptible to peer pressure" means he is easily influenced.