prone to mistakes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to mistakes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something who is likely to make mistakes or who is error-prone. For example, "She is a talented musician but her novice status makes her prone to mistakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, he too is prone to mistakes.

The New York Times

"All of them are young and they're prone to mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Critics say that system is prone to mistakes.

The New York Times

Manually scanning inventory in a giant warehouse is extremely time-consuming and prone to mistakes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As a result, Murphy has been prone to mistakes as he adjusts to playing first.

The New York Times - Sports

Because he mixes these traits with a gunslinger's mentality, he can be somewhat prone to mistakes.

The New York Times

The opponent becomes less aggressive, more predictable and prone to mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Cromartie's sloppy mechanics leave him prone to mistakes against good opponents.

The New York Times

After about 40 hours, the quality of the output suffers, and workers are prone to mistakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The bottom line is that new voters are more prone to mistakes caused by confusing ballots," Mr. Norden said.

The New York Times

With Millwall too prone to mistakes and too short of ingenuity and width, they never looked likely to prevail.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "prone to mistakes", consider specifying the context in which they are likely to err. For example, "He's prone to mistakes when under pressure."

Common error

Avoid using "prone to mistakes" as a definitive label. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and using the phrase should be reserved for situations where the tendency to err is notably higher than average.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to mistakes" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate a predisposition or tendency towards making errors. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prone to mistakes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a tendency to make errors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider context-specific alternatives for formal writing. To ensure clarity, specify the context in which someone is "prone to mistakes" and remember that everyone makes errors, and to apply the expression to contexts where the tendency to err is higher than average.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tending to make mistakes

Directly states a habitual inclination towards errors.

vulnerable to errors

Emphasizes a lack of protection against making mistakes.

apt to make errors

Highlights a natural tendency to commit errors.

easily makes mistakes

Highlights the ease with which mistakes are made.

liable to err

Formal alternative emphasizing the possibility of making errors.

makes frequent errors

Focuses on the regularity of errors.

susceptible to blunders

Focuses on vulnerability to significant errors.

inclined to slip up

Suggests a casual likelihood of making small mistakes.

not always correct

Understates the tendency to make mistakes with a lighter tone.

imperfection is inherent

Reflects on the fundamental nature of error-making.

FAQs

How to use "prone to mistakes" in a sentence?

You can use "prone to mistakes" to describe someone or something with a tendency to make errors. For example, "New employees are often "prone to mistakes" during their initial training period."

What can I say instead of "prone to mistakes"?

Alternatives include "liable to err", "apt to make errors", or "vulnerable to errors" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "prone to mistakes" and "prone to error" are grammatically correct, but "prone to mistakes" is more commonly used, especially in informal contexts. "Prone to error" might be preferred in more formal or technical writing.

What's the difference between "prone to mistakes" and "careless"?

"Prone to mistakes" suggests a general tendency to make errors, which may or may not be due to negligence. "Careless" implies that mistakes are often the result of a lack of attention or effort. Someone "prone to mistakes" isn't necessarily careless and vice versa.