is prone to fall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is prone to fall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tendency or likelihood of something or someone to fall or fail in a particular context. Example: "The old tree is prone to fall during strong winds, posing a risk to nearby houses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If your parent is prone to fall it may help a doctor or therapist to identify risk factors and suggest ways to solve them.

Huffington Post

Just as in breathing rate, it is easy to change walking speed at will, but, again like breathing rate, it is prone to fall back to its own intrinsic parameters.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Arthur feigns robustness but is prone to falling down, while Edie shows all the symptoms of dementia.

The Guardian

Sometimes she moonlights as a reluctant nightlife reporter and is prone to falling asleep at the club.

Vice

A skier who is prone to falling down will create a far bigger dent on unstable snow than a more experienced, advanced skier who skis lightly.

WikiHow

The buildings including steel-structured bridges, plants and ocean platforms which take steel as the main material are prone to fall into pitting corrosion.

Construction and Building Materials

When I was 15 I was prone to fall in love, a little too promptly, with any young man who was introduced to me.

Huffington Post

I have to keep myself in check at all times and stay very busy, or I'm prone to fall into fits of rage.

Vice

Saavedra was warned by fellow members of the Junta, military leaders and even the Cabildo that if he left Buenos Aires, the government would be prone to fall into a political crisis.

Wikipedia

What should monetary policymakers do when regulators are prone to falling down on the job?

The Guardian - Business

The middle-aged woman tossing her morning pages onto the floor was the same person who, beginning at the age of four, was prone to falling into trancelike states in which she would "make up" stories.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is prone to fall", consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, alternatives might be more suitable depending on the desired tone and level of formality. Using alternatives such as "is likely to fall" can sometimes provide clarity in less formal writing.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "is prone to fall" in highly formal or scientific writing. Consider using more precise and technical language to describe the tendency, such as "exhibits a tendency for" or "demonstrates a propensity for". This will elevate the writing and ensure more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is prone to fall" functions as a predicative adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes a subject's tendency or likelihood to experience the action of falling. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and serves to attribute a vulnerability to a particular action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is prone to fall" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating a tendency or likelihood to fall. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and acceptability in written English. Analysis reveals that the phrase functions as a predicative adjective followed by an infinitive, serving to warn, inform, or explain the potential for falling in various contexts, including physical vulnerability, structural weakness, and abstract concepts. Though versatile, its usage is more prevalent in news, science, and wiki sources. For enhanced formality, consider alternatives like "exhibits a tendency for" or "demonstrates a propensity for". Keep in mind alternatives phrases like "is likely to fall" can provide clarity in less formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is liable to fall

Replaces "prone" with "liable", suggesting a legal or probable responsibility to fall.

is likely to fall

Replaces "prone" with "likely", indicating a high probability of falling.

tends to fall

Uses "tends" to denote a habitual or characteristic inclination to fall.

is apt to fall

Substitutes "prone" with "apt", denoting a natural or habitual inclination.

is susceptible to falling

Rephrases to emphasize vulnerability to the action of falling.

has a tendency to fall

Emphasizes the presence of a "tendency", indicating a predisposition.

is inclined to fall

Replaces "prone" with "inclined", suggesting a leaning towards falling.

is predisposed to falling

Highlights a pre-existing condition that makes falling more likely.

is vulnerable to falling

Focuses on the state of being open to the possibility of falling.

is at risk of falling

Indicates a dangerous possibility of falling.

FAQs

What does "is prone to fall" mean?

The phrase "is prone to fall" means that someone or something has a tendency or likelihood to fall. It implies a vulnerability or predisposition to falling, whether physically or metaphorically (e.g., into error or disrepair).

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

You can use "is prone to fall" to describe a person, object, or situation that has a higher-than-normal chance of falling. For example, "The elderly patient "is prone to falls" due to weakened muscles" or "Old buildings "are prone to collapse" during earthquakes".

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

Some alternatives to "is prone to fall" include "is likely to fall", "tends to fall", "is susceptible to falling", and "is at risk of falling". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is prone to fall" or "is prone to falling"?

Both "is prone to fall" and "is prone to falling" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "Is prone to fall" uses the infinitive form and suggests a potential or future action. "Is prone to falling" uses the gerund form and emphasizes the tendency or habit of falling. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the action itself or the potential for the action.