prone to harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is likely to be injured or negatively affected by certain conditions or actions. Example: "Children are often considered prone to harm if they are not supervised while playing near busy streets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Alzheimer's patients have many co-morbid medical problems and use multiple medications [ 14, 19, 20]; they may be prone to harm themselves [ 13].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

All of them dealt with the Spanish Infante, heir to Philip II, who was in reality unstable, violent and prone to harming himself as well as others.

The Guardian - Music

Is it good that a profession so prone to harming clients and shareholders remain virtually unpoliced?

Forbes

In a statement, Girl A said: "It's hard for my family when I go through depressive stages because I'm prone to self-harm".

The Guardian

Terrestrial stages of biphasic amphibians are very prone to be harmed by fertilisers applied to field crops due to the water and particle intake through skin.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

For the student who is prone to self-harm behavior, like picking their skin or hitting their head, time-outs might not be safe.

Huffington Post

To most, Healthgoth is an aesthetic, heavy on black with inverted corporate logos, paired with a disposition that perfectly balances morose and jovial and is as prone to self-harm as it is to self-betterment.

Vice

Recently I started it again (because apparently I am prone to self-harm and humiliation), and this time everything makes much more sense.

The Guardian - Books

One approach, called dialectical behavior therapy, has proved effective in reducing hospitalizations and suicide attempts in, among others, people with borderline personality disorder, who are highly prone to self-harm.

The New York Times - Health

Rather, it showed that traditional vegetarian populations might be especially prone to the harms of the modern diet.

Huffington Post

In addition, young people are particularly prone to experience harms from others' consumption 40.

Addiction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prone to harm", ensure the context clearly specifies what type of harm is being referred to (e.g., physical, emotional, financial) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "prone to harm" without specifying the potential source or type of harm. For example, instead of saying 'The system is prone to harm', specify 'The system is prone to harm from cyberattacks'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to harm" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, describing a noun by indicating a predisposition or vulnerability to experiencing harm. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone to harm" is a versatile and frequently used expression that effectively conveys a heightened susceptibility or vulnerability to negative consequences or injury. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. The phrase sees common usage in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. While other alternatives like "vulnerable to injury" or "susceptible to damage" exist, understanding the specific nuance of "prone to harm" ensures its most effective use in emphasizing potential risks. When writing with the expression "prone to harm", be specific on the type of harm to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily harmed

Focuses on the ease with which harm can occur.

at risk of harm

Emphasizes the presence of a potential danger or threat.

vulnerable to injury

Focuses specifically on physical harm or injury, rather than general harm.

susceptible to damage

Highlights the potential for being harmed or damaged by external factors.

predisposed to injury

Implies a pre-existing condition or characteristic that makes one more susceptible to injury.

liable to be harmed

Indicates a legal or conditional responsibility for potential harm.

open to danger

Highlights the lack of protection or defense against potential harm.

inclined to be hurt

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards being harmed.

sensitive to harm

Emphasizes a heightened awareness or reaction to potential harm.

defenseless against harm

Indicates a lack of ability to protect oneself from harm.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to harm" to describe something or someone likely to be injured or negatively affected. For example: 'Children are often considered "prone to harm" if they are not supervised'.'

What are some alternatives to "prone to harm"?

Alternatives include "vulnerable to injury", "susceptible to damage", or "at risk of harm", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "prone to harm" or "susceptible to harm"?

Both "prone to harm" and "susceptible to harm" are correct, but "susceptible to harm" often implies a weaker defense or resistance compared to "prone to harm", which suggests a higher likelihood or tendency.

What kind of things can be described as "prone to harm"?

A wide range of things can be described as "prone to harm", including people, animals, plants, systems, and objects, as long as they have a high likelihood of experiencing some kind of damage or injury.