be predisposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be predisposed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular behavior, attitude, or condition. Example: "Some individuals may be predisposed to anxiety due to genetic factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I could even be predisposed to some potentially devastating disease.

The New York Times

Remedies that inspectors might be predisposed to recommend is another issue.

The New York Times

And they work because we might be predisposed to believe them already.

The New York Times

So if mama is regularly indulging in ice cream and salty snacks, baby may be predisposed to crave those too.

The Guardian

He said the trained agents might be "predisposed to treating everyone from a particular group as suspect".

The New York Times

Maron was the doctor who refused to clear Curry to play, strongly recommending that Curry undergo DNA testing to determine whether he could be predisposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The New York Times

The factors include the quality of the offer and the extent to which the mailing includes people who would be predisposed to shop with Bluefly.

The New York Times

Men might be predisposed to sleep around, for example, but that doesn't mean they can't help it, and doesn't make it all right.

The Guardian - Books

"So if we have audiences that have previously looked at historical houses online, a vast number of them could be predisposed to ads for gardening equipment".

The Guardian

From what I've read and what he and other experts have told me, a person may or may not be predisposed to gout, and I clearly was.

The New York Times

"If you had to pick from a handful of Republicans who you can work with and who will be predisposed to do something together," Mr. Schumer said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be predisposed to" when you want to indicate that someone or something is more likely to exhibit a certain behavior, develop a condition, or be affected by something, often due to inherent factors like genetics or past experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "be predisposed to" in contexts where a simpler phrase like "tend to" or "likely to" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a deeper underlying cause or predisposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be predisposed to" functions as a complex verb phrase, indicating a tendency or increased likelihood of experiencing something. This often relates to inherent factors or pre-existing conditions. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to show that someone or something is more likely to exhibit a certain behavior or develop a condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be predisposed to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a tendency or increased likelihood toward something, often due to underlying factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in diverse contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and media publications. While alternatives like "be inclined to" or "have a tendency to" exist, "be predisposed to" carries a nuance of inherent or pre-existing influence. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simple scenarios where more straightforward phrasing would suffice. The phrase is a powerful tool for suggesting causation and explaining why something is more likely to occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be inclined towards

Replaces "predisposed" with "inclined", focusing on a leaning or preference.

be susceptible to

Emphasizes vulnerability or openness to being affected.

have a tendency to

Highlights a recurring pattern or likelihood of something happening.

be prone to

Suggests a higher risk or likelihood of experiencing something, often negative.

be liable to

Indicates a legal or probabilistic likelihood.

be vulnerable to

Focuses on weakness and increased risk of harm.

tend to

A more concise way of saying someone usually does something.

be subject to

Indicates being under the control or influence of something.

have an inclination towards

Similar to "be inclined towards" but slightly more formal.

be naturally inclined to

Highlights an inherent or innate tendency.

FAQs

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

You can use "be predisposed to" to indicate a higher likelihood of something occurring due to certain factors. For example, "Individuals with a family history of heart disease may "be predisposed to" developing it themselves."

What can I say instead of "be predisposed to"?

You can use alternatives like "be inclined to", "be prone to", or "have a tendency to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be predisposed to" and "be likely to"?

"Be predisposed to" suggests an inherent or underlying reason for a higher probability, whereas "be likely to" simply indicates a high probability without necessarily implying a specific cause. For example, genetics can make someone "be predisposed to" a disease, while external circumstances can make someone "be likely to" succeed.

Is it correct to say "predisposed for" instead of "be predisposed to"?

No, the correct phrasing is "be predisposed to". Using "predisposed for" is grammatically incorrect. "Be predisposed to" indicates a tendency or inclination towards something, while "predisposed for" isn't a recognized construction in English.