liable to repeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable to repeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is likely to do something again, often referring to a mistake or behavior. Example: "If we don't address the underlying issues, we are liable to repeat the same mistakes in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For around three-quarters of the movie, Cianfrance leaves it open-ended and a little mysterious, with a sense of life rolling inexorably on, as it always must, and generation succeeding to generation, bearing genetic scars and liable always to repeat the sins of the fathers in a Groundhog Day of eternal dismay.

The Guardian - Film

If you ask someone what they meant in saying "August is a summer month," they are liable simply to repeat what they've just said!

SEP

Keep asking servers to repeat, repeat, repeat.

The Washington Post

To repeat.

Huffington Post

We have formerly seen that parts many times repeated are eminently liable to vary in number and structure; consequently it is quite probable that natural selection, during a long-continued course of modification, should have seized on a certain number of the primordially similar elements, many times repeated and have adapted them to the most diverse purposes.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Because complete case analysis is liable to bias due to selective missing of data however, we repeated the analyses after missing data had been multiple imputed.

BMC Public Health

Mr. Castle's proposal would repeat the charges against Mr. Clinton and affirm that he remained liable to criminal prosecution after he left office.

The New York Times

Hence the overall impact of a repeat insertion into an operon is difficult to predict, and is liable to change with the variation in the length of the BOX element and the context of the insertion site.

BMC Genomics

By repeating the process above, comparison of the physical properties under vibration or not is liable to illustrate the change in seepage characteristics and active mechanisms in the low-frequency vibration production technology.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

"You're liable to kill somebody".

The New Yorker

That's liable to be controversial.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liable to repeat" when you want to express a probability or tendency for something to happen again, especially a mistake or undesirable behavior. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is likely to be repeated.

Common error

Avoid using "liable to repeat" when you want to express an absolute certainty. The phrase implies a strong possibility, not a guarantee. If the outcome is certain, use phrases like "will definitely repeat" or "is certain to repeat" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to repeat" functions as a verb phrase expressing probability or tendency. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests that something is likely to occur or be done again. Examples show it used to describe actions, mistakes, or patterns that are prone to recurrence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "liable to repeat" effectively communicates the probability of recurrence, particularly in contexts involving mistakes or undesirable behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it's found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. For formal writing, alternatives like "likely to recur" or "apt to repeat" may be preferable. It's essential to ensure that the context warrants the expression of probability rather than certainty, as misusing it can alter the intended meaning. When used correctly, it serves as a valuable tool for warning or predicting recurring events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to recur

Replaces "liable" with "likely" and "repeat" with "recur", focusing on the event's recurrence.

prone to repeating

Emphasizes a stronger inclination to repeat, using "prone" instead of "liable".

apt to repeat

Similar to "likely to repeat", but with a slightly more formal tone.

inclined to repeat

Highlights a natural tendency to repeat an action or behavior.

tending to repeat

Focuses on the ongoing tendency to repeat something.

disposed to repeat

Indicates a predisposition to repeat, often due to inherent factors.

liable to reoccur

Focuses on the reoccurrence of an event instead of repeating an action.

subject to repetition

Highlights that something is exposed to the possibility of being repeated.

in danger of repeating

Emphasizes a risk or potential negative consequence of repeating something.

at risk of repeating

Similar to "in danger of repeating", focusing on the risk aspect.

FAQs

What does "liable to repeat" mean?

The phrase "liable to repeat" means likely to do something again. It often implies a negative consequence or undesirable behavior that is prone to recurrence.

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

You can use "liable to repeat" to indicate a tendency or probability. For example: "If we don't address these issues, we are "liable to repeat" the same mistakes."

What are some alternatives to "liable to repeat"?

Alternatives to "liable to repeat" include "likely to recur", "prone to repeating", or "apt to repeat", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "liable to repeat" in formal writing?

Yes, "liable to repeat" is acceptable in formal writing, though alternatives like "likely to recur" or "apt to repeat" might be preferred for a more sophisticated tone.