prone to bribery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to bribery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person, organization, or system that is susceptible to being influenced or corrupted by bribes. Example: "The investigation revealed that several officials were prone to bribery, compromising the integrity of the entire department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Armies of bureaucrats, many of them prone to bribery, make operating even more expensive and turn company accountants into tax negotiators.

The New York Times

Denmark has the lowest perceived level of corruption, while North Korea and Somalia are seen as most prone to bribery and fraud, the annual index showed.

The Guardian

On a scale of 1 to 10 -- with 1 being the most prone to bribery and 10 the least -- the United States got a score of 5.3, the same rating as Japan.

The New York Times

Many residents are young and impoverished, the country's judicial system is prone to bribery and corruption and neighboring Thailand also a favorite destination for sex tourists -- has cracked down on the sex trade, Ms. Kapoor said.

The New York Times

Retail is especially prone to bribery because stores sell multiple types of merchandise, which in India increases the number of licenses and permits needed — a legacy of the so-called License Raj that was largely dismantled during the country's economic overhaul in the early 1990s.

The New York Times

Low pay and widespread corruption may make their border patrols prone to bribery.The biggest concerns are east of the new Schengen border.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

These are more prone to graft, according to the bribery rankings produced by Transparency International, an anti-corruption watchdog.

The Economist

Local officials are often open to bribery, while politicians are prone to declaring amnesties for illegal buildings ahead of an election.Such problems plague other fire-prone parts of Europe.

The Economist

Before assuming a given official is prone to corruption, try to quietly learn the euphemistic language that surrounds bribery (e.g. "administrative fee", especially if paid in cash, often means someone is getting a bribe).

WikiHow

In a business especially prone to "black money" (undisclosed cash) transactions, for the purposes of laundering, tax evasion and bribery, foreigners help clean things up—or sometimes find themselves unable to compete.

The Economist

Prone to self-destruct.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prone to bribery" when emphasizing a habitual or predictable susceptibility, rather than a one-time occurrence. If describing a singular event, consider phrases like "accepted a bribe".

Common error

Avoid using "prone to bribery" to describe entire nations or large organizations without specific evidence. Focus on particular individuals, departments, or processes where the susceptibility is demonstrably present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to bribery" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing a tendency or susceptibility towards bribery. This is seen in Ludwig's examples where entities like 'bureaucrats' and 'border patrols' are described as being "prone to bribery."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prone to bribery" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something or someone susceptible to bribery. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage. While relatively uncommon, it's primarily found in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives such as "susceptible to bribery" or "vulnerable to bribery" for similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure the context is specific to avoid overgeneralizations. The phrase functions as an adjective and serves to identify a tendency toward corruption, making it a useful term in discussions of ethics and governance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to bribery

Replaces "prone" with "susceptible", emphasizing vulnerability.

vulnerable to bribery

Uses "vulnerable" instead of "prone", highlighting a lack of protection.

open to bribery

Emphasizes accessibility and willingness to accept bribes.

easily bribed

Focuses on the ease with which someone can be bribed.

corruptible

Highlights the inherent capacity to be corrupted by bribes.

inclined to accept bribes

Describes a tendency or predisposition toward accepting bribes.

susceptible to corruption

Broadens the scope to any form of corruption, not just bribery.

easily influenced by bribes

Focuses on the influence that bribes exert.

at risk of bribery

Highlights the risk and potential for bribery to occur.

liable to bribery

Indicates a legal or inherent responsibility or likelihood.

FAQs

What does "prone to bribery" mean?

The phrase "prone to bribery" describes someone or something that is likely to be influenced or corrupted by bribes. It suggests a tendency or susceptibility to engaging in bribery.

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

You might say, "The investigation revealed that several officials were "prone to bribery", compromising the integrity of the entire department." You can also use alternatives like "susceptible to bribery" or "vulnerable to bribery".

What are some synonyms for "prone to bribery"?

Synonyms include "susceptible to bribery", "vulnerable to bribery", "open to bribery", and easily bribed.

Is it better to use "prone to bribery" or "corruptible"?

Both terms describe a susceptibility to corruption, but "prone to bribery" specifically relates to bribes. "Corruptible" is a broader term, suggesting susceptibility to any form of corruption, not just bribery.