be prone to violent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be prone to violent" is not correct in English.
It should be "be prone to violence." You can use it to describe a tendency or inclination towards violent behavior or actions. Example: "He has been known to be prone to violence when provoked."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They may be prone to violent tantrums, or need physical help.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Myanmar is prone to violent tropical storms.

The New York Times

David David Naughtonn) survives but he's prone to violent mood swings come full-moon time.

Independent

We're prone to violent imagery, typically without the intent to actually hurt anyone.

The New York Times

He was prone to violent rages, particularly when he learned of a prenuptial document his wife had secretly signed, meant to protect her estate and yearly income.

The New York Times - Books

The Sejusa case has riveted many in this east African country that once was prone to violent takeovers of power but which has seen relative stability under Museveni.

The Guardian

More worrying, Dadis was prone to violent mood swings, and he surrounded himself with a forbidding posse of armed young men, the Presidential guards, also called the Red Berets.

The New Yorker

Despite spending much of her life in therapy, Campbell is prone to violent outbursts that have brought her an intimate knowledge of several courtrooms.

Independent

Christensen is the daughter of a Marxist lawyer, a "defender of and hero to Black Panthers, rabble-­rousing politicos and draft dodgers" who was prone to violent rages and beat his wife behind closed doors.

The New York Times - Books

He's prone to violent tantrums that can be triggered by something as simple as catching sight of a dog 100 feet away, which makes our everyday life often messy, always unpredictable.

The New York Times

JUST a month after Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), talked of "positive contagion" in the euro area, Europe has had a rude reminder that financial markets are prone to violent mood swings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "violence" (noun) after "prone to", instead of "violent" (adjective). For example, use "prone to violence", not "prone to violent".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "violent" after "prone to". "Prone to" requires a noun, so always use "violence". For instance, it's correct to say "He is prone to violence", but incorrect to say "He is prone to violent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically incorrect as "be prone to violent", intends to function as a descriptive term indicating a predisposition or susceptibility toward violent behavior. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is "be prone to violence".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be prone to violent" appears in some contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "be prone to violence", which indicates a susceptibility or tendency towards violent behavior or events. Ludwig AI underlines the necessity of using "violence" (noun) instead of "violent" (adjective) after "prone to". Based on the limited data available, the phrase is more commonly found in news and media, and scientific contexts. Alternative phrases like "be susceptible to violence" or "be inclined to violence" can also be used. Always prioritize the grammatically correct form to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be susceptible to violence

Replaces "prone" with "susceptible", emphasizing vulnerability to violence.

be inclined to violence

Substitutes "prone" with "inclined", suggesting a natural tendency towards violence.

have a tendency toward violence

Uses "tendency" instead of "prone", highlighting a predisposition to violence.

be liable to violence

Replaces "prone" with "liable", indicating a risk or likelihood of violence.

be apt to violence

Substitutes "prone" with "apt", suggesting a natural fitness or readiness for violence.

be given to violence

Uses "given to" instead of "prone", implying a habitual or characteristic involvement in violence.

be vulnerable to violent acts

Focuses on the vulnerability to specific violent actions, rather than a general tendency.

exhibit violent tendencies

Shifts the focus to observable tendencies, rather than an inherent predisposition.

be at risk of becoming violent

Highlights the potential for escalation to violence, emphasizing a state of risk.

demonstrate a capacity for violence

Emphasizes the inherent capability for violent behavior, even if not actively displayed.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "prone to" when discussing violence?

The correct usage is "prone to violence", where "violence" is a noun. The phrase "prone to violent" is grammatically incorrect.

Can I use "prone to violent" in any context?

No, "prone to violent" is not grammatically correct in standard English. You should always use "prone to violence".

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

You can use alternatives like "be susceptible to violence", "be inclined to violence", or "have a tendency toward violence".

What's the difference between "prone to violence" and "prone to aggression"?

"Violence" typically implies physical force intended to cause harm, while "aggression" can encompass a broader range of behaviors, including verbal and emotional actions. Therefore, "prone to aggression" covers a wider spectrum of potentially harmful actions.