be prone to error

USAGE SUMMARY

"be prone to error" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is likely to make mistakes, or something that is vulnerable to making mistakes. For example: "Computer algorithms are often prone to error due to the complexity of the task they are trying to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This representation of distractor items would be prone to error because it would have to be continually maintained, monitored, updated and extended.

Nature

We hypothesized that this method would be prone to error and a computer-based tool would lead to a more accurate interpretation of the screening results.

The Journal of Pediatrics

A key advantage of Ansoft's software products is that they allow engineers to automate time-consuming design processes that would otherwise be prone to error.

Forbes

Indeed, preparation of data, calculation of mixture descriptors, and application of the correct validation protocol require considerable effort and can be prone to error.

Journal of Cheminformatics

As stated above, measurements are expected to be prone to error due to the usually small set of correspondences available, hence the measurement error should be tuned to be larger than the process noise (in the proposed configuration it is Q = 10-6, R = 10-3).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Instead, the controllers have to manually enter the flight path data of a rocket in the airspace — a system that can be prone to error and that some derisively call "sneaker net," meaning someone has to run that data across the room to the controllers.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Extraction of diffusion parameters is known to be prone to errors at low SNR [56].

Plosone

In addition manual and graphical approaches are prone to error.

Automation in Construction

Manual segmentation is prone to error and impractical for large datasets.

University of California, Berkeley

First, international markets in capital are prone to error, whereas international markets in goods are not.

The Economist

But like any narratives, these are prone to error and exaggeration.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be prone to error", clearly identify what specifically is likely to produce errors. Providing context will improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be prone to error" without specifying the source or nature of the potential errors. Saying "This is prone to error" is vague; instead, specify what aspect is prone to error, such as "This method is prone to error due to manual data entry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be prone to error" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun's characteristic or tendency to make mistakes. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is likely or vulnerable to producing errors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Science & Research

6%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be prone to error" is a versatile expression used to indicate a high likelihood or vulnerability to making mistakes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts. It functions as a predicate adjective, often employed to highlight potential issues and advocate for caution or improvement. While acceptable in various settings, ensuring clarity by specifying the error source is crucial. Alternatives such as "be liable to err" or "be susceptible to mistakes" offer nuanced variations, useful for tailoring your message with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be liable to err

Emphasizes a legal or formal possibility of making a mistake.

be susceptible to mistakes

Highlights vulnerability or openness to making errors.

be apt to make errors

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards making mistakes.

be inclined to get it wrong

Focuses on the direction or leaning toward incorrectness.

be at risk of inaccuracy

Emphasizes potential danger or exposure to lacking precision.

be in danger of miscalculation

Specifically refers to the potential for mistakes in calculation or judgment.

carry the risk of mistakes

Focuses on inherent risk and negative outcomes.

tend to be faulty

Focuses on the intrinsic flaw or defect leading to error.

have a high error rate

Focuses on measured frequency of errors.

leave room for error

Implies that errors are not only possible but should be expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "be prone to error" to describe something that has a high likelihood of producing mistakes. For example, "Manual data entry is "prone to error"" or "Self-reported data may "be prone to error"".

What are some alternatives to "be prone to error"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be liable to err", "be susceptible to mistakes", or "be at risk of inaccuracy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "prone to errors" or "prone to error"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "prone to error" is generally used in a more abstract or general sense. "Prone to errors" is suitable when referring to specific, countable mistakes. For example, a system might be "prone to error", while a student's work might contain "errors".

What makes something "prone to error"?

Factors that can make something "prone to error" include complexity, manual operation, reliance on subjective judgment, or inherent instability. Understanding these factors can help mitigate potential mistakes.