prone to laughter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to laughter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is likely to laugh easily or frequently in various situations. Example: "Her sense of humor made her prone to laughter, even during serious discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead, she was a down-to-earth, sensible woman, prone to laughter and extravagance, smoking too much, drinking too much.

The Guardian

Thornton is a charming interviewee who is prone to laughter and likes to think about the answers he gives.

The Guardian - Music

A tightly wound man who had enjoyed a successful business career, he had a temper that could flare quickly, but now he became easier in his manner, more prone to laughter, essentially happier.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Smith and Lavington observed that during Dalton's portrayal in Licence to Kill, Bond appeared "self-absorbed ... reckless, brutal, prone to nervous laughter and ... probably insane, or at least seriously disturbed.

Wikipedia

The animated Mr. Bartoszewski, prone to bursts of throaty laughter and colorful anecdotes comparing international relations to dating, describes himself as just a normal man.

The New York Times

Mary is highly strung, prone to "foolish questions, sudden laughter and strange tears", and John had on occasion prescribed laudanum to help her sleep.

The Guardian - Books

But an hour in her company hints at a more impish side: there is always a flicker of amusement edging at her lips, and she is prone to sudden peals of laughter.

The Guardian - Film

Ebullient, emotional and prone to bursts of staccato laughter, Archbishop Tutu was a ubiquitous figure in the 1980s as South Africa's white authorities declared successive emergency decrees to combat waves of protest often led by young black demonstrators who boycotted classes to confront the army and the police.

The New York Times

Piaf, who was prone to fits of hysterical laughter, was never embarrassed about making a spectacle of herself in polite company with drunken ebullience or pugnacity, and, as the daughter of an itinerant contortionist, who spent some of her formative years living in her grandmother's brothel, she must have, by puberty, seen pretty much everything one can do with a mouth.

The New Yorker

It's sort of a variety show, hosted by a middle-aged peroxide skeleton prone to unearthly peals of laughter.

Vice

And both clearly command the attention, respect and affection of this crew, who often finish one another's sentences and are prone to bouts of spontaneous laughter.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed, consider substituting with alternatives like "inclined to laugh", or "tends to laugh", to convey subtle differences in meaning.

Common error

While "prone to laughter" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or academic writing may make the tone seem less serious. In such cases, opt for more formal alternatives like "disposed to mirth" or describe the characteristic behavior more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to laughter" functions as an adjectival phrase describing a characteristic or tendency of a person. It modifies a noun, indicating a predisposition toward amusement and laughter. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to laughter" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone's tendency to laugh easily. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to consider the formality of your writing; alternatives such as "inclined to laugh" may be more suitable for strictly formal contexts. Remember to use it to effectively portray someone's cheerful and lighthearted nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined to laugh

Focuses on inclination as a tendency, similar to prone but with a slightly softer connotation.

tends to laugh

Highlights the tendency or habit of laughing.

disposed to laughter

Emphasizes a natural inclination or readiness to laugh.

given to laughter

Similar to "prone to", but can also imply a habitual or characteristic behavior.

with a tendency to laugh

More explicitly states the tendency towards laughter.

quick to laugh

Highlights the speed with which someone laughs.

has a good sense of humor

Indicates the person appreciates humor which often results in laughter. Highlights the reason behind propensity to laugh.

susceptible to laughter

Suggests vulnerability or openness to being made to laugh.

easily amused

Focuses on how easily someone can be made to laugh.

habitually laughing

Emphasizes laughter as a regular habit.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to laughter" to describe someone who laughs easily or often. For example: "She was a down-to-earth woman, "prone to laughter" and extravagance."

What's a more formal way to say "prone to laughter"?

While "prone to laughter" is suitable for many contexts, you could use "disposed to mirth" or "inclined to amusement" for a more formal tone.

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

To be "prone to laughter" means you are likely to laugh easily and often; you have a disposition that makes you easily amused.

Is it better to say "prone to laughter" or "inclined to laugh"?

Both "prone to laughter" and "inclined to laugh" are correct and similar in meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the desired tone. "Prone to" might suggest a slightly stronger tendency.