prone to damage

USAGE SUMMARY

"prone to damage" is a perfectly grammatical and idiomatic phrase that can be used in written English.
For example: "The building was old and had seen better days; it was particularly prone to damage during storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fiberglass is also less prone to damage and far lighter than clay idols.

The New York Times

Hard drives, even those in laptops, are delicate and prone to damage from the bumps and bounces of travel.

The New York Times - Tech

Knowing that the iPhone's screen was prone to damage, Mr. McCormick began bidding on keywords like "iphone repairs" and waited for business to flood in.

The New York Times

Officials added that the L.E.D.'s were also less prone to damage from temperature change or blowouts than light bulbs, and were supposed to last 100 times longer -- a total of 100,000 hours.

The New York Times

Lead in the environment is particularly dangerous to young children, whose fast-developing brains are prone to damage that often does not show up until years later, in the form of learning disabilities or behavioral problems.

The Guardian

To reduce the need for complicated fixes, and cut repair time, Boeing has engineered spare parts that can be bolted onto areas that have been prone to damage on other planes.

The New York Times

Regardless, the glass on your iPhone is prone to damage.

TechCrunch

This may make neurons more prone to damage over time, he says.

Forbes

But such material is prone to damage during trimming and drilling.

Science Magazine

The materials are brittle in nature and prone to damage by thermal shock.

Engineering Fracture Mechanics

In other words, the tip was more prone to damage when the fan was operated.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the inherent qualities of a material or object, use "prone to damage" to highlight its susceptibility to harm. For example: "Due to its age, the structure is especially "prone to damage" from storms."

Common error

Avoid using "prone to damage" when you mean actively damaging something. "Prone to damage" describes a vulnerability, not an action. Instead of "The construction workers were prone to damage the pipes," use "The construction workers were likely to damage the pipes," or "The construction workers often damaged the pipes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to damage" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by describing its tendency or likelihood to experience damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to damage" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is likely to be harmed or broken. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across different writing styles and contexts. It is particularly frequent in scientific and news-related sources, and has a neutral formality register that makes it widely applicable. Related phrases include "susceptible to damage" and "vulnerable to damage", which can be used as alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. When using "prone to damage", remember it describes a vulnerability, not an active behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to damage

Emphasizes vulnerability or lack of resistance to damage.

vulnerable to damage

Highlights the weakness and exposure to potential harm.

liable to damage

Indicates a legal or probabilistic responsibility for damage.

at risk of damage

Focuses on the possibility and danger of incurring damage.

subject to damage

Implies a condition where damage is likely or unavoidable.

easily damaged

Highlights the ease with which damage can occur.

sensitive to damage

Focuses on the delicate nature and high reactivity to damaging agents.

tending to be damaged

Suggests a habitual or predictable pattern of incurring damage.

predisposed to damage

Indicates an inherent inclination or susceptibility to damage.

in danger of damage

Emphasizes the imminent threat and high likelihood of damage occurring.

FAQs

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

Use "prone to damage" to describe something that is likely to be harmed or broken. For instance: "The old bridge is "prone to damage" from heavy trucks." or "Children with weakened immune systems are "prone to damage" caused by infections".

What's a good alternative to "prone to damage"?

Alternatives include "susceptible to damage", "vulnerable to damage", or "at risk of damage". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "prone to be damaged" instead of "prone to damage"?

While "prone to be damaged" isn't grammatically incorrect, "prone to damage" is more concise and commonly used. The phrase "prone to damage" directly conveys the susceptibility without adding extra words.

What is the difference between "prone to damage" and "susceptible to damage"?

Both phrases indicate a vulnerability, but "prone to damage" suggests a higher likelihood of damage occurring, while "susceptible to damage" implies a general lack of resistance. "The old vase is "prone to damage" if handled roughly," versus "People with allergies are "susceptible to damage" from certain pollens".