likely to subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to subject" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a potential consequence or outcome of an event or action. For example: Eating unhealthy foods is likely to subject you to certain health risks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Store owners, of course, are not likely to subject their customers to security checks.

The New York Times

How many more times is Mr. Hilfiger likely to subject an audience to a procession of peacoats and plaid pants?

The New York Times

A new study suggests that family members would be far less likely to subject their loved ones to such treatment if they had a better understanding of dementia as progressive, debilitating illness that ultimately shuts down the body after years of mental deterioration.

The New York Times

The university's antihazing policy cites activities most likely to produce "mental or physical discomfort, harm, stress, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule" from activities that could include "engaging in public stunts or buffoonery," inappropriate scavenger hunts or road trips or wearing clothes likely to subject the wearer to embarrassment or ridicule.

The New York Times

Throughout the 1360s and '70s these "mobile states"—for example, the companies of the Englishman Sir John Hawkwood and the Germans Albrecht Sterz and Hannekin Baumgarten dominated war in Italy, and in times of peace they were all too likely to subject their former employers to a variety of blackmailing threats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The abuser is likely to subject the victim to many comparisons to drive the point home that it is somehow the victim's fault that he or she is being abused (also known as triangulation).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

**New information about the study conveyed to subject if likely to change subject's decision to participate.

BMC Medical Ethics

Those framework agreements are then likely to be subjected to ballots by trade union members.

The Guardian

Some groups of men were "clearly more likely to be subjected to harassment" than others, he said.

The Guardian

Unaccompanied women are now less likely to be subjected to wolf-whistles, ribald comments, or physical contact on the bus.

The Guardian

However, such components are likely to be subjected to a variety of impact-related events during their in-service lives.

Composite Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "likely to subject" when you want to express the probable exposure of someone or something to a particular condition or influence. Ensure that the context clearly defines what is being exposed and to what.

Common error

Avoid using "likely to subject" when you intend to express active causation. The phrase implies a passive reception of an action, not an active instigation of it. For example, instead of "Poor planning is likely to subject the project to delays", consider "Poor planning will likely cause delays to the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to subject" functions as a predicative adjective modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high probability of exposure to something. As Ludwig AI points out, this suggests a potential outcome or consequence. The examples from Ludwig highlight its use in various contexts, from health risks to potential discrimination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to subject" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression used to indicate a high probability of someone or something being exposed to a particular experience or condition. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage and points out its role in warning or informing about potential consequences. While primarily found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it is crucial to avoid misusing it for active causation. Alternatives like "prone to expose", "liable to cause", and "apt to expose" can provide nuanced substitutions when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apt to expose

Replaces "likely" with "apt", conveying a similar sense of probability but with a slightly different connotation.

prone to exposing

Changes the focus from likelihood to inherent tendency toward exposure.

liable to cause

Shifts the emphasis to causation rather than the probability of experiencing something.

predisposed to undergo

Highlights a pre-existing vulnerability or susceptibility to an experience.

inclined to submit

Focuses on the tendency to yield or surrender, changing the meaning slightly to suggest a yielding action.

sure to introduce

Emphasizes certainty in introducing something, changing the nuance from probability to assurance.

expected to impose

Shifts the focus from being subjected to imposing something, reversing the direction of the action.

set to inflict

Conveys an intention or plan to inflict something, altering the sense from potential to deliberate action.

bound to enforce

Suggests a duty or obligation to enforce something, diverging from the original meaning of exposure.

possible to administer

Focuses on the feasibility of administering something rather than the likelihood of experiencing it.

FAQs

How can I use "likely to subject" in a sentence?

Use "likely to subject" to indicate that someone or something will probably be exposed to a particular experience or condition. For instance, "Ignoring safety protocols is likely to subject workers to unnecessary risks."

What does "likely to subject" mean?

It means that it is probable that someone or something will experience or be exposed to a particular action, influence, or condition.

What can I say instead of "likely to subject"?

Alternatives include "prone to expose", "liable to cause", or "apt to expose", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "likely to be subjected to" the same as "likely to subject"?

While similar, "likely to be subjected to" is more explicitly passive. "Likely to subject" still implies a passive recipient, but the "to be subjected to" phrasing removes any ambiguity.