be prone to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prone to doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone's tendency to do a particular thing. For example, "John tends to be prone to making a lot of mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As many of us now recognize women, especially, can be prone to doing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"When people become desperate in life-or-death situations, they may be prone to do something they wouldn't normally do," she said while walking through the streets of La Perla, a neighborhood in Old San Juan.

The Washington Post

We have a few similarities: I am prone to doing wacky, off-the-cuff things.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you are contemplating moving house and are prone to doing so frequently, be sure it's really necessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Shorten has broken out all of Labor's lines and formulations on the budget at his press conference, as he is prone to doing.

The Guardian

Have the feminazis got to you too?" Of course feminnazis like me are prone to doing a bit of jumping up and down at moments like these.

The Guardian - Opinion

Certainly I wouldn't advocate playing spot the difference on the roads of Britain, as many of the more excitable car writers are prone to doing.

Independent

In Johnson's portrayal of North Korea, the government is prone to doing one thing while publicly declaring that it's doing an entirely different thing.

HuffPost

"This president is prone to doing through executive order that which he cannot do by working with the Congress, because he won't work with us.

Huffington Post

If you get depressed or are prone to doing self destructive things, like punching or cutting yourself, try to think of a replacement to that.

WikiHow

If you find you are prone to doing that, try playing music as described above and focus all your thoughts on that music, and let it carry you into slumber.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be prone to doing" to describe a recurring tendency or habitual behavior, particularly when the action is somewhat undesirable or negative. For example, "He is prone to doing impulsive things when stressed."

Common error

Avoid using "be prone to doing" when describing a one-time action or event. The phrase implies a recurring pattern, not a singular instance. Instead of saying "He was prone to doing that one mistake", consider "He made that one mistake" or "He was liable to making that mistake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prone to doing" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing its tendency towards a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for referring to someone's tendency to do something. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in describing habitual or likely behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be prone to doing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a tendency or likelihood towards a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and examples show it appearing across diverse contexts, including news and general writing. Although generally neutral in register, it implies a recurring pattern or susceptibility, often with a negative connotation. Alternatives such as "tend to do" or "are inclined to do" may offer subtle shifts in emphasis, but "be prone to doing" remains a versatile choice for expressing predisposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tend to do

Focuses on habitual action rather than inherent likelihood.

have a tendency to do

Emphasizes a general inclination or habit.

are inclined to do

Highlights a leaning or disposition towards an action.

are apt to do

Stresses likelihood and suitability.

are liable to do

Indicates a risk or probability of something happening.

are apt to doing

Focuses on likelihood and suitability.

are predisposed to doing

Highlights a pre-existing inclination or susceptibility.

are given to doing

Implies a habitual or frequent action.

are susceptible to doing

Highlights vulnerability or openness to influence.

are wont to do

Suggests a customary or habitual action, often in a slightly archaic tone.

FAQs

How can I use "be prone to doing" in a sentence?

Use "be prone to doing" to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular action. For example, "Teenagers "are prone to doing" risky things".

What's the difference between "be prone to doing" and "tend to do"?

"Be prone to doing" suggests a higher likelihood or vulnerability towards something, often negative, while "tend to do" simply indicates a habitual action without necessarily implying negativity.

Which is correct, "be prone to do" or "be prone to doing"?

"Be prone to doing" is grammatically correct when the focus is on the action itself. While "be prone to do" is also correct, "be prone to doing" emphasizes the continuous or habitual nature of the action.

What can I say instead of "be prone to doing"?

You can use alternatives such as "tend to do", "are inclined to do", or "have a tendency to do" depending on the context.