be receptive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be receptive to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone is open and willing to consider or accept new ideas or suggestions. For example, "I hope that you can be receptive to my suggestion that we revisit the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes you'd be receptive to them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Would more people be receptive to it?

The Guardian - Arts

"I felt our radio partners wouldn't be receptive to it".

The New York Times - Arts

They can be receptive to donor funding of new prisons.

The Guardian

Those new voters may be receptive to partisan appeals.

The Washington Post

We're not certain what towns will be receptive to expansion".

The New York Times

A sincere penitent should be receptive to that suggestion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Be receptive to your teams' thoughts and insights.

Harvard Business Review

Many federal judges may not be receptive to allowing cameras in their courtrooms.

The New York Times

But this time, it appears that officials may be receptive to the appeal.

The New York Times

And he figured the audience would be receptive to the show he wanted to play.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be receptive to" when you want to emphasize a willingness to consider new ideas or suggestions. For example, "The manager encouraged the team to be receptive to feedback from clients."

Common error

Avoid assuming that being receptive to an idea means full agreement. "Being receptive to" indicates openness to considering something, not necessarily accepting it. Follow up with clarifying questions or actions to confirm understanding and alignment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be receptive to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a subject's ability or willingness to accept or consider new ideas, suggestions, or influences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be receptive to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express openness and willingness to consider new ideas or suggestions. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academia and business. The phrase encourages a positive attitude and collaborative environment. Remember that "being receptive to" doesn't necessarily imply agreement but rather a willingness to consider. Alternatives like "be open to" or "be amenable to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Use this phrase to foster open communication and encourage consideration of different perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be open to

This alternative suggests a general willingness to consider or accept something.

be amenable to

This phrase indicates a willingness to be influenced by or agree to something.

be responsive to

This suggests a readiness to react positively or favorably to something.

be sensitive to

This highlights an awareness and understanding of something, leading to a positive reaction.

be attentive to

This implies paying close attention and being responsive to needs or requests.

be inclined to

This suggests a predisposition or tendency to favor something.

be well-disposed toward

This indicates a favorable attitude or feeling towards something.

be agreeable to

This shows a willingness to consent or agree to something.

be welcoming of

This suggests a positive and receptive attitude towards new ideas or changes.

be favorably impressed by

This indicates a positive reaction and openness to being influenced.

FAQs

How to use "be receptive to" in a sentence?

You can use "be receptive to" to indicate openness to new ideas or suggestions. For example, "It's important to be receptive to new approaches in problem-solving."

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

You can use alternatives like "be open to", "be amenable to", or "be responsive to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be receptive to" or "be open to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "be receptive to" often implies a more active and positive approach to receiving new information, while "be open to" simply suggests a willingness to consider something.

How does "be receptive to" differ from "be susceptible to"?

"Be receptive to" implies a voluntary and positive openness, while "be susceptible to" suggests a vulnerability or tendency to be affected, often negatively.