prone to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to express the tendency towards something, often something bad. For example, "He is prone to making unwise decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're prone to violence.

The New York Times

Prone to self-destruct.

The New York Times - Books

He was prone to hallucinations.

The New York Times - Sports

People are prone to madness.

The New Yorker

Prone to sudden unpredictable failure.

Independent

They are prone to bugs.

The Economist

Americans are prone to excess.

The New York Times

Monocultures are prone to disease.

The Economist

"He's prone to lung infection.

Independent

He was prone to gaffes.

The Economist

He is prone to gaffes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prone to" when you want to express a tendency, especially toward something negative or undesirable. For example, "The old bridge is "prone to" flooding during heavy rains."

Common error

Avoid using "prone to" when describing positive qualities or tendencies. Instead, use phrases like "inclined to" or "tending to" to describe positive attributes. For instance, instead of saying "He's prone to kindness", say "He's inclined to kindness".

How to use

Learn how to use "prone to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to" functions as a predicative adjective, describing a subject's tendency or susceptibility towards something, often negative. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prone to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a tendency or susceptibility towards something, often negative. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical structure is correct, and this analysis shows it's very common, and found across a range of contexts, particularly in news media, science, and formal communications. When using "prone to", remember that its primary function is to highlight vulnerability or likelihood, and should be replaced with alternatives like "inclined to" or "likely to" when describing positive attributes. Be aware of the potential for misuse and leverage it effectively in your writing. The New York Times, The Economist, and The New Yorker appear to be the most authoritative sources for the use of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined to

Slightly more formal and emphasizes a natural disposition or preference.

susceptible to

Highlights vulnerability and a lack of resistance.

liable to

Suggests a higher probability or legal responsibility.

apt to

Implies a natural tendency, often in a predictable manner.

vulnerable to

Stresses the potential for harm or negative consequences.

subject to

Indicates being under the influence or control of something.

given to

Suggests a habit or characteristic behavior.

tending to

Implies a direction or drift towards a particular action or state.

likely to

Focuses on the probability of something happening.

open to

Highlights accessibility and potential receptiveness, differing slightly from a negative tendency.

FAQs

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

Use "prone to" to describe a tendency or likelihood, usually towards something negative. For example, "The region is "prone to" earthquakes" or "He is "prone to" making mistakes when he's tired."

What are some alternatives to saying "prone to"?

You can use alternatives such as "inclined to", "susceptible to", or "liable to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "prone to" and "likely to"?

"Prone to" typically implies a negative or undesirable tendency, while "likely to" is more neutral and simply indicates a higher probability of something happening.

When is it not appropriate to use "prone to"?

Avoid using "prone to" when describing positive attributes or situations. Instead, opt for phrases like "inclined to" or "tending to" for positive connotations.