be liable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be liable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the possibility that something could happen or that something is subject to a particular condition or obligation. For example, "You are liable to be fined if you do not pay your taxes on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poitras's movie digs deep; it hints at the violently conflicting drives that an intelligent human being may be liable to.

The New Yorker

Consumers should not be liable to pay for the costs of any software update.

Independent

Company promoters who issued a prospectus on such a basis would be liable to imprisonment.

Independent

Were President Bashir to travel to any of these countries he would be liable to arrest.

Independent

It suggests that prostitutes should be liable to much stiffer penalties for accosting.

The New Yorker

As of January he will be liable to a modest business tax of up to 10%.

The Guardian

Does not include stadium or training ground and may be liable to court cases.

The Guardian - Sport

You will be liable to pay the bailiffs' costs which could substantially increase the debt.

The Guardian

Clients will lose acces to their expertise and be liable to suffer miscarriages of justice".

The Guardian

It would also be liable to pay compensation for removing a virus.

The Guardian - Money

Might the backers of a failed claim be liable to pay the other side's costs?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be liable to", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential consequence or obligation. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the conditions under which liability arises.

Common error

Avoid using "be liable to" interchangeably with "be likely to". "Be liable to" implies a legal or financial obligation, while "be likely to" simply indicates a probability. For example, say "The company is liable to pay damages" not "The company is likely to pay damages" if a legal obligation exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be liable to" functions primarily as a predicative adjective. It indicates a state of potential obligation, responsibility, or susceptibility. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from legal responsibilities to tendencies toward certain outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be liable to" is a versatile phrase used to denote potential obligations, responsibilities, or risks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, from legal and financial matters to discussing tendencies or susceptibilities. While its register leans towards neutral to formal, it's crucial to differentiate it from similar phrases like "be likely to", as "be liable to" carries a stronger implication of obligation or consequence. Remember to consider the context and potential ambiguity when employing this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be subject to

Indicates a condition or requirement that must be met, similar to being under an obligation.

be prone to

Highlights a tendency or inclination towards something, often negative.

be susceptible to

Emphasizes vulnerability or openness to being affected by something.

be at risk of

Focuses on the potential danger or negative outcome.

be open to

Suggests a possibility or likelihood of something happening.

be responsible for

Highlights accountability and obligation for something.

be inclined to

Implies a natural tendency or preference.

be apt to

Similar to 'be prone to', suggesting a likelihood or tendency.

be vulnerable to

Stresses the lack of protection against something harmful.

be held accountable for

Emphasizes the obligation to answer for one's actions or omissions.

FAQs

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

"Be liable to" indicates a potential obligation or consequence. For instance, "If you break the contract, you will "be liable to" pay a penalty".

What's the difference between "be liable to" and "be responsible for"?

"Be responsible for" indicates a general duty or obligation, while "be liable to" specifies a potential negative consequence or debt. You can "be responsible for" maintaining the equipment, and "be liable to" any damages resulting from negligence.

What are some alternatives to "be liable to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be subject to", "be at risk of", or ""be responsible for"".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "be liable to"?

"Be liable to" is suitable in legal, financial, or formal settings where there is a potential for obligation or penalty. For example, a company might "be liable to" pay taxes, or an individual might "be liable to" prosecution.