is prone to error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is prone to error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tendency or likelihood of making mistakes in a particular context or situation. Example: "The software is prone to error, especially when handling large datasets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

University of California, Berkeley

Motorists also said that the system is prone to error and, because it is computerized, hard to challenge.

The New York Times

The problem is, reconciling transactions across individual and private ledgers takes a lot of time and is prone to error.

Harvard Business Review

Also, since any self-assembly process is prone to error, engineers will need to develop fault-tolerant computer architectures.

MIT Technology Review

Moreover, patient information that is gathered and entered into the system in this manner is prone to error.

Harvard Business Review

Each of these procedures is prone to error, and increases the risk of contamination and compromising the final cell product.

Nature

And we also know that determining actual guilt or innocence is not always easy and is prone to error.

University of California, Berkeley

Communication of abnormal test results in the outpatient setting is prone to error.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

Deriving distance estimates from hop counts is prone to error, especially in networks with low density.

Ad Hoc Networks

It is prone to error and takes a long time if you're stirring a lot of drinks.

The New York Times

But these tests will raise troubling issues: the technology is prone to error, and at least initially, the tests will be hard to get and expensive.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is prone to error", clearly identify the specific process, system, or situation that is susceptible to errors. This adds clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is prone to error" without providing any context. Saying 'this method is prone to error' without specifying the conditions or types of errors reduces the impact and usefulness of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is prone to error" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a noun (e.g., a system, a method, a process) as having a tendency or likelihood to contain mistakes. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

36%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is prone to error" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that indicates a susceptibility or tendency to make mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific literature to news reporting. This phrase serves to inform and caution about potential inaccuracies and is often used to justify the need for improvements or alternative strategies. While alternatives like "is susceptible to error" or "is liable to err" exist, "is prone to error" remains a clear and effective way to convey the risk of mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is liable to err

Replaces 'prone' with 'liable' and 'error' with 'err', altering the structure while maintaining the core meaning of being likely to make a mistake.

is susceptible to error

Uses 'susceptible' instead of 'prone', emphasizing vulnerability to errors rather than a tendency towards them.

is subject to error

Employs 'subject' instead of 'prone', highlighting that errors are something the subject is exposed to or governed by.

tends to be erroneous

Shifts the focus to the tendency of something to be incorrect, using 'erroneous' as the adjective.

is apt to have mistakes

Replaces 'prone' with 'apt' and uses 'mistakes' instead of 'error', making it slightly more informal.

carries a risk of errors

Reframes the idea as a risk assessment, focusing on the potential for errors to occur.

has a high probability of error

Quantifies the likelihood of errors, making the phrase more technical and precise.

is not always accurate

Uses a negative construction to express a similar idea, focusing on the lack of consistent correctness.

can easily lead to mistakes

Highlights the potential for errors to arise easily, emphasizing the ease with which mistakes can happen.

is fallible

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective, 'fallible', meaning capable of making mistakes or being wrong.

FAQs

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

You can use "is prone to error" to describe something that has a high likelihood of containing mistakes. For instance, "Manual data entry "is prone to error" due to human fatigue".

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

Some alternatives include "is susceptible to error", "is liable to err", or "is subject to error". These phrases convey a similar meaning, indicating a tendency or susceptibility to mistakes.

Which is correct, "is prone to error" or "is prone to errors"?

"Is prone to error" is generally preferred. "Error" in this context often refers to the general state of being incorrect. While "is prone to errors" isn't grammatically incorrect, it implies multiple distinct mistakes.

What's the difference between "is prone to error" and "is sensitive to error"?

"Is prone to error" suggests a higher likelihood of errors occurring. "Is sensitive to error" implies that even small errors can have significant consequences. The former refers to the frequency of errors, while the latter refers to the impact of errors.