liable to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'liable to change' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that could alter in the future. For example: "Interest rates are liable to change at any moment, so it's important to keep an eye on them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They are also liable to change suddenly.

The Economist

Is the news liable to change anything now?

The New York Times

But the only Scottish seats liable to change hands are Tory ones.

The Economist

Wall Street is a fickle analyst, liable to change its mind at any minute.

The Economist

It's always best to call ahead and check their opening hours, which are liable to change.

The Guardian - Travel

If a theory by nature is liable to change, it cannot be considered absolutely true.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

This reflects the difficulties of attempting to fix times to run a group when many of the participants are liable to changes in medical plans, which are beyond their control.

British Journal of Cancer

In CMOS multistage clock buffer design, the duty-cycle of clock is liable to be changed when the clock passes through several buffer stages.

Microelectronics Reliability

All motions may be accelerated and retarded, but the flowing of absolute time is not liable to any change.

SEP

It is clearly at odds with the priorities of the government at this time, and even if it were not, it appears that their policies are liable to sudden change at any moment.

TechCrunch

It may be worth noting in the pathology report that such cases - in particular - are liable to a change in status when molecular testing is through.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liable to change" when emphasizing the possibility or probability of alteration in a situation or condition, particularly when external factors can influence it. For example: "The delivery date is "liable to change" depending on weather conditions."

Common error

While both suggest a potential for change, "liable to change" often carries an implication of external influence or a legal/logical condition, whereas "likely to change" simply indicates a high probability. Use "liable" when the change depends on something.

How to use

Learn how to use "liable to change" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to change" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered perfectly correct and usable in written English. It modifies a noun by indicating that it is subject to potential alteration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "liable to change" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is subject to modification or alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in English writing. This phrase appears most commonly in news and media and scientific contexts, indicating its relevance across both general and specialized domains. It is important to note the subtle differences between "liable to change" and alternatives like "likely to change" or "subject to change" to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to change

Emphasizes vulnerability or openness to being affected by change.

subject to change

Highlights that the change is conditional upon some external factor or authority.

prone to change

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination towards change.

likely to be altered

Focuses on the probability of alteration happening.

apt to change

Indicates a natural or inherent tendency to change.

tends to change

Describes the general direction in which something is heading toward.

may be modified

Implies permission or possibility of modification.

open to revision

Highlights that changes are being considered and are welcome.

inconstant

Describes something unstable or always changing.

unstable

Indicates a lack of stability and potential for erratic changes.

FAQs

How can I use "liable to change" in a sentence?

You can use "liable to change" to describe something that is likely to be altered or modified. For example, "The terms of the agreement are "liable to change" before the final signing."

What's a good alternative to "liable to change"?

Alternatives to "liable to change" include "subject to change", "prone to change", or "susceptible to change". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "liable to changes"?

While grammatically understandable, "liable to changes" is less common and idiomatic than "liable to change". It is preferable to use "liable to change" followed by a singular noun or a general concept of change.

What does "liable to change" imply?

"Liable to change" implies that something is not fixed or definite and has the potential to be modified or altered, often due to external factors or conditions.