prone to distraction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to distraction" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is an adjective phrase, and it is used to describe a person who is easily distracted. For example, "Karen is so prone to distraction; she can't concentrate on her work for more than five minutes at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Prone to distraction we are; providers of distraction the corporate media strive to be.

University of California, Berkeley

Teens, who are just getting used to driving, tend to be more prone to distraction.

Harvard University

Lewis, on the other hand, although he was prone to distraction against inferior fighters, continued to get stronger, sharper, more dominant.

The New Yorker

A few of the restaurant's uniformly courteous servers are prone to distraction and more eager to please than efficient at it.

The New York Times - Food

I could be accused of being prone to distraction and lacking in focus, but I frequently pick up the binoculars that I leave on my office windowsill.

The Guardian - Money

The bad news is that this deliberate thought process is slow, tiresome and prone to distraction; the prefrontal cortex soon grows exhausted and gives out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

He was prone to distractions, of course: John Lever, a Time Out co-founder, sent me an email just this morning, asking me if I remembered how Beadle used to stand out of sight at the top of the stairs in the office and warble - just, you know, make bird noises.

The Guardian

For employees, the experience can be more engaging than existing options and I would imagine people are less prone to distractions or mindlessly clicking through screens.

TechCrunch

And a driver is a human being, prone to distractions and weaknesses, which need to be eliminated for him to operate at his best.

BBC

A consistent schedule will keep you productive, while a chaotic schedule will leave you prone to distractions, excuses, and lost productivity.

Forbes

They're prone to distractions, like smashing a glass window in their unnecessarily spacious office or renting a motorcycle for use during workdays.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "prone to distraction" to subtly reveal their inner thoughts or struggles.

Common error

Avoid using "prone to distraction" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "easily distracted" or "lacking focus" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to distraction" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a person or thing as having a tendency or likelihood to be easily diverted from focus. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to distraction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a tendency to be easily diverted from focus. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. Synonyms such as "easily distracted" and "lacking focus" offer alternative ways to express this concept. When using the phrase, be mindful of overuse and ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily distracted

Focuses on the ease with which someone's attention is drawn away.

susceptible to distractions

Highlights vulnerability to external interruptions.

easily diverted

Emphasizes the act of being turned away from a path or task.

tends to wander

Implies a mental drift away from the intended subject.

lacking focus

Directly addresses the absence of concentrated attention.

attention span is short

Indicates a limited ability to maintain concentration.

mind wanders easily

Highlights the mental process of distraction.

easily sidetracked

Emphasizes being led away from the main topic or task.

struggles to concentrate

Focuses on the difficulty of maintaining focus.

has a wandering mind

Describes a state of mental restlessness and lack of focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to distraction" to describe someone or something easily diverted from focus. For example, "He's "easily distracted", so provide a quiet workspace."

What are some alternatives to "prone to distraction"?

Alternatives include "easily distracted", "susceptible to distractions", or "lacking focus".

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

Yes, "prone to distraction" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "prone to" + a noun phrase.

What's the difference between "prone to distraction" and "easily distracted"?

"Prone to distraction" suggests a tendency or inclination, while "easily distracted" simply describes someone who is readily diverted. The former implies a more inherent characteristic.