prone to breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is likely to fail or malfunction, often referring to machinery, systems, or even people under stress. Example: "The old computer is prone to breakdown, so we should consider upgrading it before it fails completely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The underground is risky and prone to breakdown," he said.

The New York Times

Ebooks are expensive, cumbersome, prone to breakdown and, if wireless, as the Kindle recently showed, can have the content the readers thought they had "bought" deleted without notice.

The Guardian - Books

No class of ship since the age of steam began has been more systematically prone to breakdown than supertankers; yet there is still no maritime jurisdiction strong enough to control their operation.

The New Yorker

Yet, as Paul Polak, a Golden, CO-based social entrepreneur points out, rising diesel costs, motors that are prone to breakdown and the loss of government subsidies in many countries has created a need for cost-effective electric pumps.

The Guardian

Tanks became available in appreciable numbers only in 1917, and even then were prone to breakdown, were easily knocked out by enemy fire, and advanced at little more than walking pace.

The Guardian

Still, her game is not prone to breakdown the way Svetlana Kuznetsova's did in the fourth round against Wozniacki, and with her weapons and smarts, she should be able to break down Wozniacki's game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Hoyle is still prone to breakdowns that he believes stem from his childhood.

The Guardian

But the decrepit electrical grid is fragile and prone to breakdowns, he was told.

The New York Times

Williams's forehand, once prone to breakdowns, looks as smooth as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

Mechanical sweepers are expensive, prone to breakdowns and costly to repair.

The New York Times

Carrier's first home units were bulky and prone to breakdowns, but his competitors' were no better.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex systems or machinery, use "prone to breakdown" to concisely communicate a design flaw or inherent weakness that leads to frequent failures. For example: "The older models of the car are known to be "prone to breakdown", especially under heavy use".

Common error

While "prone to breakdown" is acceptable, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to diversify by using synonyms such as "susceptible to failure" or "liable to malfunction" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to breakdown" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the noun is susceptible to failure or malfunction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone to breakdown" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, serving to describe something with a high likelihood of failing or malfunctioning. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable, it's beneficial to diversify your writing by using synonyms such as "likely to fail" or "susceptible to malfunction", particularly in formal settings. Remember to use "prone to breakdown" to effectively communicate inherent weaknesses in systems or devices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to fail

Changes the wording to emphasize the high probability of failure.

susceptible to malfunction

Replaces "breakdown" with "malfunction" and "prone" with "susceptible", indicating vulnerability.

liable to break down

Uses "liable" instead of "prone", suggesting a legal or predictable tendency.

inclined to fail

Employs "inclined" to denote a natural tendency towards failure.

vulnerable to failure

Highlights the vulnerability and potential for failure.

at risk of malfunctioning

Focuses on the risk aspect, indicating a potential for malfunctioning.

tending to break down

Uses "tending" to convey a habitual or ongoing inclination to break down.

subject to failure

Indicates that something is under the power or influence of failure.

predisposed to malfunction

Suggests a pre-existing condition that makes something more likely to malfunction.

apt to break down

Replaces "prone" with "apt", conveying a natural or habitual tendency.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "prone to breakdown"?

When something is described as "prone to breakdown", it means it has a high likelihood or tendency to fail or malfunction. This phrase is often used to describe mechanical or electronic devices, but can also apply to systems or even abstract concepts.

What are some synonyms for "prone to breakdown"?

Some synonyms for "prone to breakdown" include "likely to fail", "susceptible to malfunction", and "liable to break down". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prone to breakdown"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "prone to breakdown". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

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

You can use "prone to breakdown" to describe anything that has a tendency to fail or malfunction. For example: "The old subway system is "prone to breakdown" during peak hours."