on receptive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on receptive" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a state of being open to receiving information or feedback, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "The team was on receptive to new ideas during the brainstorming session."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Language Learning

Neuroscience

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They took three required courses (each consisting of a 90-min class per week) of general English for 9 months (from April to January): two courses focusing on receptive and productive skills, respectively, and one course for preparing for the TOEFL ITP® and iBT®.

Language Testing in Asia

Three children could not be successfully tested on expressive language, and one child could not be tested either on expressive or on receptive language.

Critical Care

Independent t tests showed that these differences in progress between groups resulted in the experimental group scoring better at post-test on receptive letter knowledge, t(45.38) = 2.10, p < 0.05 (one-tailed), d = 0.48.

Annals of Dyslexia

His argument fell on receptive ears.

The New Yorker

Trump's message is falling on receptive ears.

The New Yorker

Their message appears to have fallen on receptive ears.

The New York Times

The message that he's delivering is also falling on receptive ears.

The New Yorker

On receptive spirits, such as Cicero, Lucretius, and Virgil, his influence was profound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group's insistent calls to action, in song and from the stage, still fall on receptive ears.

The New York Times - Arts

His words may fall on receptive ears because Austrians are heavily taxed, and until recently, the country has had liberal asylum policies and benefits for Balkan refugees.

The New York Times

The message that he is delivering — a mélange of American nativism, conservative politics, and populist economics — is also falling on receptive ears.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "on receptive" appears in some contexts, especially in the idiomatic phrase "fall on receptive ears", it's generally better to use the grammatically correct alternative "receptive to" or "open to".

Common error

Avoid using "on" with "receptive" when describing a general state of openness. The correct preposition is "to". So, instead of saying "They were on receptive to new ideas", say "They were receptive to new ideas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on receptive" functions primarily as part of idiomatic expressions like "fall on receptive ears." While grammatically questionable on its own, Ludwig shows frequent usage within specific contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its limited correctness outside such idioms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on receptive" appears frequently, it's often part of the idiom "fall on receptive ears". Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically questionable outside of idiomatic expressions, with more appropriate alternatives such as ""receptive to"" or "open to" being preferred, especially in formal contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receptive to

Changes the preposition to "to", creating a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase indicating openness.

open to

Replaces "receptive" with "open", offering a simpler and more direct synonym with similar meaning.

amenable to

Substitutes a more formal synonym, "amenable", implying agreement and willingness.

susceptible to

Emphasizes vulnerability or influence, changing the connotation slightly from simple openness.

impressionable

Focuses on the ease of being influenced, particularly for people.

easily influenced

Rephrases the concept of receptiveness in terms of being easily affected by external factors.

willing to accept

Expresses the idea of receptiveness as a conscious decision or intention.

responsive to

Highlights the reactive aspect of receptiveness, implying a prompt and positive response.

attentive to

Focuses on careful listening and observation, suggesting a deliberate effort to understand.

accepting of

Emphasizes the act of welcoming or embracing something, suggesting a positive attitude.

FAQs

How can I use "receptive" correctly in a sentence?

Use "receptive to" followed by the thing or idea being received. For example, "The audience was very "receptive to" the speaker's message".

What does it mean when someone says "my words fell on receptive ears"?

This idiom means that your message was well-received and understood by the listeners. The phrase "fell on receptive ears" implies that the audience was willing to listen and accept what was being said.

Is it correct to say "on receptive"?

While the phrase sometimes appears, particularly in the idiom "fall on receptive ears", it's generally more grammatically sound to use ""receptive to"".

What's the difference between ""receptive to"" and "open to"?

Both phrases indicate a willingness to accept something. "Receptive to" implies a willingness to receive and consider ideas or suggestions, while "open to" suggests a more general willingness to experience or try new things.