prone to error

USAGE SUMMARY

"prone to error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has a tendency to make mistakes, such as a computer program or a person who often mistakes. For example, "The program is prone to error, so it's important to double-check every input."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The administration of capital punishment is notoriously prone to error.

The New Yorker

Subsidies are notoriously prone to error and abuse.

The Economist

The Russian team are, however, prone to error, something their US counterparts are not.

The Guardian - Sport

Their process for computing the times was confusing and prone to error.

The New York Times

Such operations are extremely risky, prone to error or the unexpected.

The Guardian

The first problem is that this kind of approach is massively inefficient, and prone to error.

The Guardian

But no matter how sophisticated the statistical techniques, they are still prone to error.

The New York Times - Books

"System 2", by contrast, is slow, deliberative and less prone to error.

The Economist

The snatches became more frequent, and therefore more prone to error.

The Economist

It simply recognises that humans are fallible and prone to error.

The Economist

But like any narratives, these are prone to error and exaggeration.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes that rely on human input, acknowledge that they are inherently "prone to error" to set realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid claiming that a system is completely error-free. Acknowledge that even with rigorous testing, systems can be "prone to error" under certain conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to error" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing something that has a tendency to make mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone to error" is a versatile and widely used expression, meaning something has a tendency to make mistakes. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It is particularly common in scientific and news-related contexts to objectively assess the reliability of processes, systems, or methods. The phrase conveys the potential for inaccuracies, encouraging caution and critical evaluation. While perfectly acceptable across numerous source types, there are many alternatives as well such as "susceptible to error".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

liable to err

Suggests a formal tone and a high probability of making mistakes.

susceptible to error

Emphasizes vulnerability and a higher chance of being affected by errors.

inclined to make mistakes

Highlights a natural tendency or predisposition towards errors.

tending to be inaccurate

Focuses on the outcome of being incorrect rather than the cause.

likely to contain inaccuracies

Implies the presence of errors as a strong possibility.

at risk of being flawed

Emphasizes the potential for imperfections or defects.

vulnerable to mistakes

Suggests a weaker state that makes errors more likely.

imperfect

Describes a general condition of being not entirely correct or accurate.

fallible

Indicates that something is capable of making mistakes or being wrong.

not foolproof

Emphasizes that something is not immune to errors or failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to error" to describe anything that has a tendency to make mistakes. For example, "Manual data entry is "prone to error", so automation is recommended."

What are some alternatives to "prone to error"?

Alternatives include "liable to err", "susceptible to error", or "inclined to make mistakes", each with slight differences in nuance.

Which is correct, "prone to error" or "prone to errors"?

"Prone to error" is generally used to describe a general tendency, while "prone to errors" might be used to describe a specific instance or a collection of mistakes. "Prone to error" is more common.

What's the difference between "prone to error" and "subject to error"?

"Prone to error" suggests a natural tendency, while "subject to error" indicates that something is vulnerable to external factors that may cause mistakes. They are largely interchangeable, but "subject to error" can imply less inherent fault.