least prone to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "least prone to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the least likely to experience a particular issue or condition. Example: "Among the various models tested, this one is the least prone to malfunction under extreme conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Structural Engineering

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Beam elements, on the other hand, are the most suitable for plastic theory application, because they are least prone to buckling instability.

Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation Proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation 2–4 April 2001, Cape Town, South Africa

African countries are the least prone to rocking out, with the majority of the continent having no metal bands at all.

Independent

It's true that the power of genome decoding to predict illness can undermine any justification for a health insurance system that seeks profit by pooling patients who are least prone to disease.

The New York Times

During Monte Carlo (MC) process and mismatch simulations it was also found that the pass gate DFF is least prone to variations in both minimal setup- and minimal hold-time.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Of all the first lady's official duties, the Christmas Eve phone calls to young children eagerly anticipating news of Santa's arrival must rank among the least prone to complication.

The New York Times

Pt/ZrO2, Pt/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts were found to be active in the temperature range 550 800°C under the conditions for both CO2 reforming and partial oxidation of methane; of those, the Pt/ZrO2 material was found to be least prone to deactivation.

Catalysis Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The result is an economy that is at least as prone to big boom-bust cycles as what existed at the end of the 19th century.

The New York Times

The result demonstrated a span of FR values ranging from 2.66 (least flood prone) to 19.02 (most flood prone) for the study area.

Applied Water Science

The possibility of foreign takeover could spur consolidation at home by prompting Eisai and other drugmakers to "bulk up by merger to become more competitive or at least less prone to takeover, especially by foreign takeover," thinks Casper Lawson, who heads the Tokyo office of Linklaters, a U.K. law firm specializing in M&A deals.

Forbes

I suspect we are all at least somewhat prone to a "what I can't see, feel, taste, smell or hear can't hurt me" mentality.

HuffPost

Danish general practices were computerized at an early stage and Danish GPs are probably at least as prone to use information technology tools such as ELP as GPs elsewhere.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing multiple options, clearly define the criteria for "prone to" something. This makes the comparison more meaningful and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "least prone to" a specific issue without providing context or comparison. Instead, specify the alternatives being considered to ensure clarity and avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "least prone to" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used to qualify a noun by indicating that it possesses the lowest susceptibility or tendency towards a particular condition or outcome. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

24%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Structural Engineering

2%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "least prone to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the lowest likelihood of experiencing a specific issue. As highlighted by Ludwig, it frequently appears in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the scope of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "least likely to" or "most resistant to" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

least susceptible to

Focuses on a lack of vulnerability or sensitivity, emphasizing a resistance to being affected.

least vulnerable to

Highlights the absence of weakness or exposure, suggesting a reduced risk of harm or negative impact.

least inclined to

Emphasizes a lack of willingness or tendency, suggesting a reduced likelihood of choosing or doing something.

least likely to

Directly expresses the lowest probability of something happening or being true.

minimally subject to

Highlights that something experiences almost no effect or force.

hardly affected by

Focuses on minimal impact or influence, suggesting a strong resistance to change or alteration.

relatively immune to

Emphasizes a natural or acquired resistance, suggesting a protection against negative effects.

rarely experiences

Emphasizes the infrequency with which something occurs.

seldom undergoes

Highlights the unusual or infrequent occurrence of a process or event.

least sensitive to

Suggests a low degree of responsiveness or reaction, emphasizing indifference or tolerance.

FAQs

How can I use "least prone to" in a sentence?

Use "least prone to" when you want to indicate that something has the lowest likelihood of experiencing a particular problem or condition compared to other options. For example, "This material is "least prone to wear and tear" compared to the others".

What are some alternatives to "least prone to"?

You can use alternatives like "least likely to", "least susceptible to", or "most resistant to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "least prone to" or "less prone to"?

"Least prone to" implies a comparison among multiple options, indicating the absolute lowest likelihood. "Less prone to" simply suggests a lower likelihood than something else but doesn't necessarily mean it's the absolute lowest. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended degree of comparison.

What does it mean for something to be "least prone to" failure?

When something is described as "least prone to" failure, it means that, compared to other similar things, it has the lowest chance of failing or malfunctioning. This suggests a higher degree of reliability or robustness.