is disposed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is disposed to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that someone is inclined or willing to do something. Example: "She is disposed to help others in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it really plausible to claim that a primitively normative attitude towards the use one is disposed to make of an expression amounts to knowing (or grasping or recognizing) what the expression means?

SEP

"The spectator is disposed to linger a long time over the architectural appearance of the exterior," the account said.

The New York Times

If a speaker or group of speakers is disposed to call a new thing by an old word, the thing and the term will be causally connected.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So she might never say, "I believe in Santa Claus", but she is disposed to have dreams, fantasies, and feelings related to Saint Nick.

Independent

Unfortunately, nothing in Tower's political record or public statements suggests that he is disposed to disturb business as usual at the Pentagon.

The New Yorker

He suggests that any theory of the universe, any comprehensive mesh of physics and biology, will need to succeed in "showing how the natural order is disposed to generate beings capable of comprehending it".

The New Yorker

Laura Bush – who, despite never quite meeting her over the garden fence in Austin, Crace admits he is disposed to believe isn't quite as supine as she has been painted ("she dated a Democrat and married Bush on the rebound") – ends up on the floor with blood pouring out of her nose.

Independent

But the important stress is laid on much stricter gun laws than the Congress is disposed to pass; on a sterner enforcement of the law by police and the courts than the Supreme court is, in its present liberal mood, likely to sanction; and more physical security for political candidates.

The Guardian

But the real news is that Mr. Brady, a star of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" a comedy show now in its fifth season on ABC, will star in his own show this season, and ABC is disposed to shine a spotlight on him this year.

The New York Times

A compassionate person, for example, is disposed to help people.

SEP

Roughly 75% of the waste is disposed to landfill, despite its major recycling potential.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is disposed to" to indicate a natural inclination or tendency towards something. It's suitable for describing behaviors, beliefs, or preferences in a neutral or formal context.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "is disposed to" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tends to" or "inclined to" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is disposed to" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating a tendency, inclination, or willingness towards a particular action, belief, or state. It describes a subject's inherent characteristic or potential behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is disposed to" is a versatile phrase used to express inclination or tendency, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically sound, it tends to appear more frequently in formal contexts such as scientific writing and news reports, with its most prominent usage within scientific articles as provided in the examples by Ludwig. Alternatives such as "tends to" or "inclined to" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When aiming for precision in describing potential behaviors or inherent characteristics, "is disposed to" provides a robust and reliable option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is inclined to

Expresses a natural tendency or preference, similar to being disposed but often implies a weaker inclination.

is predisposed to

Indicates a pre-existing inclination or susceptibility, often due to genetic or environmental factors.

tends to

Describes a habitual or regular pattern of behavior. Less formal and more general than "is disposed to".

is apt to

Suggests a likelihood or probability. Focuses on the expected outcome rather than the internal disposition.

is willing to

Focuses on readiness and consent to perform an action. Emphasizes volition and agreement.

is prone to

Indicates a susceptibility to something, usually something negative. Emphasizes vulnerability more than willingness.

is liable to

Implies a risk or potential for something to happen. Carries a stronger sense of obligation or legal responsibility in some contexts.

is given to

Highlights a habitual or characteristic behavior, often implying a weakness or indulgence.

is susceptible to

Highlights vulnerability or sensitivity, often in the context of influence or harm.

is wont to

An archaic expression indicating a customary action or habit. More formal and less common than "is disposed to".

FAQs

How can I use "is disposed to" in a sentence?

You can use "is disposed to" to indicate a tendency or inclination. For example, "A compassionate person "is disposed to help" people".

What's a more casual way to say "is disposed to"?

Alternatives like "tends to", "inclined to", or "likely to" can be used in more casual contexts while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was disposed to" instead of "is disposed to"?

Yes, "was disposed to" is the past tense form and is correct when referring to a past inclination or tendency.

What's the difference between "is disposed to" and "is predisposed to"?

"Is disposed to" generally indicates a current inclination, while "is predisposed to" suggests a pre-existing or inherent tendency.