prone to excess

USAGE SUMMARY

'prone to excess' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that someone or something has a tendency to indulge in too much of something. For example: "John has always been prone to excess when it comes to spending money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"The market is prone to excess and we'll drop excessively," Kloza said.

Forbes

Americans are prone to excess.

The New York Times

Modern finance is flawed, unstable and prone to excess.

The Economist

Very young athletes may be particularly prone to excess intake.

The New York Times

Over time, our financial system should emerge stronger and less prone to excess.

The New York Times

Officials of China's 637,001 villages seem especially prone to excess regulatory zeal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

LIKE many Mediterranean peoples, Tunisians are said to be prone to excesses of joy and despair.

The Economist

So it's got to be understood to be central, incredibly powerful at times, and something that is prone to excesses.

Harvard Business Review

"It could be that the person arriving at the judgment seat had been given a body prone to excesses because the glands dictated that he should be more than was really normal".

The Guardian - Books

Using vivid, personal details, Ms. Liu writes about a range of topics: disabled people in the United States winning fair treatment; how the legal system, though prone to excesses, regularly delivers justice; domestic opposition to the war in Iraq.

The New York Times

Subsequent publications on the syndrome reported that members of these families were also prone to excesses of extracolonic cancers, including carcinomas of the endometrium, ovary, stomach, small bowel, hepatobiliary tract, pancreas, renal pelvis, ureter, breast, prostate, and brain (particularly glioblastomas) [ 20– 20].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prone to excess", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is excessively inclined towards. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "prone to excess" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify the area where the excess occurs to provide clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "He's prone to excess", say "He's prone to excess in his spending habits."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to excess" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a susceptibility or inclination toward immoderate behavior or quantities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone to excess" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a tendency towards overindulgence or extremes. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and is found across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it's a versatile phrase, providing specific details about the excess is key for clarity. Related phrases include "inclined to overindulge" and "tending toward extremes", offering alternative ways to express a similar meaning. Remember to avoid vague usage and instead specify the context of the excess to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined to overindulge

Replaces "prone" with "inclined" and "excess" with "overindulge", focusing on the act of indulging.

tending toward extremes

Uses "tending" instead of "prone" and "extremes" instead of "excess", highlighting a movement towards extremities.

susceptible to overdoing it

Employs "susceptible" for "prone" and "overdoing it" for "excess", adding an element of vulnerability.

liable to extravagance

Substitutes "prone" with "liable" and "excess" with "extravagance", shifting the context towards lavishness.

given to intemperance

Replaces "prone" with "given" and "excess" with "intemperance", emphasizing a lack of moderation.

predisposed to immoderation

Uses "predisposed" instead of "prone" and "immoderation" for "excess", indicating a built-in inclination.

habitually indulging

Focuses on the habitual nature of the indulgence, using "habitually indulging" to convey the meaning.

with a penchant for superfluity

Replaces "prone" with "with a penchant" and "excess" with "superfluity", adding a formal tone and emphasizing excessiveness.

demonstrates immoderate tendencies

Changes the structure to describe tendencies explicitly, replacing "prone" with "demonstrates" and "excess" with "immoderate tendencies".

has a weakness for overdoing things

Uses a more casual tone, replacing "prone" with "has a weakness" and "excess" with "overdoing things".

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to excess" to describe a tendency towards overindulgence or extravagance. For example: "The market is "prone to excess" and we'll drop excessively."

What are some alternatives to "prone to excess"?

Alternatives include "inclined to overindulge", "tending toward extremes", or "susceptible to overdoing it".

Is it better to say "prone to excess" or "subject to excess"?

"Prone to excess" and "subject to excess" are similar, but "prone" suggests a natural tendency, while "subject" implies being acted upon. Use "prone" when describing an inherent trait and "subject" when describing an external influence.

What's the difference between "prone to excess" and "likely to overdo it"?

"Prone to excess" is more formal and suggests a habitual tendency, while "likely to overdo it" is more casual and indicates a higher probability of exceeding limits in a specific instance.