docile to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "docile to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is submissive or easily managed by another person or force. Example: "The dog was docile to its owner's commands, following every instruction without hesitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We were more docile to adult discipline.

The Guardian - Books

I turned off the track, docile to the last.

The New York Times

And anyway, cannabis makes you mellow - stoners are hippies, laid back, docile to a fault.

The Guardian

And yet rock audiences are docile to a fault, rewarding even the most uninspired sets with polite applause.

The New York Times - Arts

What this had to do with the topic he was supposed to be debating - adult education - the bemused audience was too docile to inquire.

The Guardian

"As soon as they started moving the bulls out of the pens into the bucking chutes, I could see Bushwacker go from docile to this" — he pantomimed a bull pawing the ground — "and I thought, This bull knows".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The experimental colonies proved more successful if their docile-to-aggressive ratios matched that of the naturally occurring control colonies in the same areas, the researchers report online this week in Nature.

Science Magazine

As much as girls are taught in adolescence to be docile and to look for a man, she said, boys are taught by age 5 to be unemotional, "manly and strong".

The New York Times

Our phone, however, is docile, responsive to our touch, always ready to spring to life and willing to do whatever we want.

Huffington Post

Thus the first ultraintelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make, provided that the machine is docile enough to tell us how to keep it under control.

The New Yorker

The eminent philosopher and AI expert Nick Bostrom predicts that "the first ultraintelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make...provided that the machine is docile enough to tell us how to keep it under control".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "docile to", ensure the subject truly exhibits a consistent and predictable submissiveness or obedience, avoiding exaggerations or misrepresentations of their behavior.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a single instance of compliance indicates an individual is generally "docile to" a particular authority or rule. Docility implies a habitual pattern, not a one-time event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "docile to" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a quality of being easily managed, compliant, or submissive towards a specific entity or influence. This is evident in the Ludwig examples, where it describes subjects ranging from audiences to animals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science & Research

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "docile to" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered phrase used to describe a subject's tendency to be easily managed or submissive towards a particular influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used correctly in the provided examples, which span various contexts like news, science, and general reference. While not exceedingly common, it serves a specific communicative purpose in describing relationships of control or influence. Consider alternatives such as "compliant with" or "submissive to" for subtle variations in meaning. Ensure the subject consistently exhibits this quality before applying the phrase to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliant with

Replaces "docile" with a synonym, shifting the focus slightly towards adherence to rules or standards.

submissive to

Emphasizes a yielding or obedient attitude, often in a hierarchical context.

amenable to

Highlights a willingness to accept or be influenced by something.

receptive to

Indicates an openness to new ideas or suggestions.

obedient to

Stresses adherence to commands or instructions.

tractable to

Focuses on ease of management or control.

easily influenced by

Highlights the susceptibility to external pressures or opinions.

manageable by

Indicates that something can be controlled or handled without difficulty.

susceptible to

Suggests vulnerability or sensitivity to a particular influence.

easily controlled by

Emphasizes the lack of resistance to external control.

FAQs

How can I use "docile to" in a sentence?

You can use "docile to" to describe someone or something that is easily managed or controlled. For example, "The trained sheepdog was very docile to the shepherd's commands."

What's a good alternative to "docile to"?

Alternatives include "compliant with", "submissive to", or "amenable to" depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "docile to" or "docile with"?

"Docile to" is generally used to indicate obedience or submissiveness towards a person or entity. "Docile with" is less common and might suggest gentleness or a mild temperament in interactions but the correct one is "docile to".

What's the difference between "docile to" and "easily manipulated by"?

"Docile to" suggests a willing or natural inclination to follow instructions, whereas "easily manipulated by" implies a more negative connotation, suggesting that someone is being controlled against their best interests. They aren't interchangeably in all the contexts but "docile to" has a nuance of a willing submission.