prone to disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to disaster" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, person, or thing that is likely to experience failure or catastrophe. Example: "The outdated infrastructure in the city is prone to disaster, especially during heavy storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Throughout its history the city has been prone to disaster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unfortunately, the improved markets also are more prone to disaster.

The New York Times

For example, loans allow people to diversify their sources of income into ones that aren't as prone to disaster damage.

The Guardian

Japan has been prone to disaster, not the least because it has been subject to frequent large earthquakes.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 140 million, is among the world's poorest countries and is prone to disaster, natural and manmade.

The New York Times

Ineptly produced and prone to disaster, the film experienced shooting delays, location changes, script rewrites, and director changes (Rouben Mamoulian was replaced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The government can argue that Mexico's climate change strategy – to "relocate irregular human settlements in zones prone to disasters" – justifies the evictions.

The Guardian

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 140 million, is among the worlds poorest countries and is prone to disasters, natural and man-made.

The New York Times

Then, in 1401, the unhappy city, always prone to disasters, suffered another huge one: Timur-Lenk, or (as Westerners called him) Tamerlane.

The New Yorker

Ms. Admati and Mr. Hellwig are prominent among a larger group of economists who have been arguing for years that banks remain dangerously dependent on leverage and prone to disasters that taxpayers would have to clean up.

The New York Times

Wireless sensor networks are one of the most promising emerging technologies, providing the opportunity for real-time monitoring of geographical regions (remote and hostile) that are prone to disasters.

Ad Hoc Networks

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "prone to disaster" to highlight inherent weaknesses that could lead to significant failures. Be specific about the type of disaster to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "prone to disaster" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify what type of disaster is likely, and why. For example, instead of "the project was prone to disaster", say "the project was prone to budget overruns due to poor planning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to disaster" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as having a high likelihood of experiencing negative events. This usage is consistent across various contexts, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to disaster" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes something or someone as having a high likelihood of experiencing failure or catastrophe. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its consistent usage across various contexts. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase with a neutral tone, commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, it's crucial to use it with specificity, detailing the types of disasters likely to occur rather than overgeneralizing. Alternatives like "susceptible to catastrophe" or "at risk of failure" can provide nuances in meaning depending on the context. The term is useful for highlighting vulnerabilities and encouraging preventative actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to catastrophe

Emphasizes a higher degree of potential harm or devastation compared to simply being "prone".

vulnerable to calamity

Highlights the defenselessness against a significant and sudden event.

liable to misfortune

Suggests a tendency or predisposition towards negative or unlucky occurrences.

at risk of failure

Focuses specifically on the possibility of not achieving the desired outcome.

inclined to collapse

Implies an inherent weakness or instability that makes something likely to fall apart.

predisposed to mishap

Indicates a pre-existing condition or characteristic that increases the chances of an accident.

tending to breakdown

Suggests a gradual deterioration or malfunction over time, leading to a failure.

inviting trouble

Implies that actions or circumstances are creating an opportunity for problems to arise.

courting disaster

Suggests actively behaving in a way that increases the likelihood of a catastrophic outcome.

heading for a crash

Conveys a sense of inevitability, suggesting that a collision or major problem is imminent.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "prone to disaster"?

Being "prone to disaster" means that something or someone has a high likelihood of experiencing a failure, catastrophe, or other negative event.

What are some synonyms for "prone to disaster"?

Some alternatives to "prone to disaster" include "susceptible to catastrophe", "vulnerable to calamity", or "at risk of failure", depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "prone to disaster" to describe anything that has a high risk of failing or experiencing negative events. For example, "The old bridge is prone to disaster during heavy storms."

Is it better to say "prone to disaster" or "prone to disasters"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "prone to disaster" is generally used to refer to a general susceptibility, while "prone to disasters" may be used when referring to specific instances or types of disasters.