prone to suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

"prone to suffering" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is likely to experience pain, hardship, or difficulty. Example: "Throughout his life, John had always been prone to suffering. No matter how hard he tried, it seemed like he was constantly facing one struggle after another."

✓ Grammatically correct

The phrase "prone to suffering" appears in various contexts, including: personal experiences (The Guardian), urban development (The Economist), and technical/scientific assessments of structural components (Computers & Fluids, Surface and Coatings Technology).

It is also present in medical research (BMC Pediatrics, Arthritis Research and Therapy) describing patient vulnerability and conditions.

Additionally, it is found in general advice contexts (WikiHow).

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I'm prone to suffering from depression but since doing this I've had no bouts of depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the other hand, purpose-built aerotropolei have problems of their own: cities built to facilitate global trade will be prone to suffering when trade declines during economic downturns.

The Economist

These structures are prone to suffering fatigue damage.

Computers & Fluids

As-cast nickel-aluminum bronze is prone to suffering selective phase corrosion in marine environments.

Surface and Coatings Technology

TiN used as supercapacitor (SC) electrode in aqueous electrolyte is prone to suffering from oxidation, leading to poor electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity.

Electrochimica Acta

The long-span bridges, frequently located in the coastline and mountainous areas, are prone to suffering from the transient downburst winds associated with the thunderstorms.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But it may be possible that people prone to or suffering from these psychiatric disorders are self-medicating, using the effects of the drugs to alleviate the symptoms of the psychiatric illness.

The Guardian

It is possible that individuals who are prone to psychosis or suffering from paranoid ideation are likely to perceive neutral or ambiguous situations as discriminatory.

BMC Psychiatry

They are used to suffering.

The Economist

This is in agreement with previous studies demonstrating that younger people are more prone to psychological distress when suffering from cancer [ 31, 34, 35].

BMC Cancer

Of course, this can be done to some extent by optimizing the quality of the real-time Uniform (speckle-free) image, but this is prone to increased error in images suffering from large amounts of scatter.

Biomedical Optics Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a tendency towards negative outcomes, use "prone to suffering" to clearly convey vulnerability. For example, "The old bridge is "prone to suffering" damage during heavy storms."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "prone to suffering" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "likely to have problems" or "tends to struggle" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to suffering" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to indicate a susceptibility or tendency toward experiencing negative outcomes, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prone to suffering" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a susceptibility or tendency towards experiencing hardship or pain. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. While not exceptionally common, it appears in diverse domains, including science, news, and general advice, showcasing its versatility. It is generally neutral in register and understood across different audiences. Remember to choose synonyms carefully based on the specific nuance you want to convey, and avoid overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. The examples provided by Ludwig offer valuable insights into how to effectively employ this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to hardship

Replaces "suffering" with "hardship", focusing on difficulty rather than just pain.

vulnerable to adversity

Uses "adversity" instead of "suffering", highlighting challenging situations.

inclined to experience difficulties

Replaces "prone" with "inclined" and "suffering" with "difficulties", making the sentence more verbose.

liable to undergo hardship

Emphasizes the likelihood of experiencing difficult circumstances.

predisposed to pain

Focuses specifically on physical or emotional pain.

at risk of affliction

Uses more formal terms like "affliction" and "at risk" adding solemnity.

subject to distress

Highlights emotional or mental suffering.

tending towards misfortune

Shifts the focus to general bad luck or unfavorable events.

open to anguish

Replaces "suffering" with "anguish", focusing on emotional distress.

susceptible to negative experiences

Broadens the scope to include various negative occurrences beyond suffering.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to suffering" to describe someone or something that is likely to experience hardship, pain, or difficulties. For instance, "Individuals with weakened immune systems are "prone to suffering" from frequent infections".

What are some alternatives to "prone to suffering"?

Alternatives include "susceptible to hardship", "vulnerable to adversity", or "inclined to experience difficulties", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prone to suffering" or "inclined to suffer"?

Both "prone to suffering" and "inclined to suffer" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Prone" suggests a higher likelihood or tendency, while "inclined" implies a disposition or leaning.

What's the difference between "prone to suffering" and "suffering from"?

"Prone to suffering" indicates a tendency or likelihood to experience suffering, while "suffering from" describes a current state of experiencing pain or hardship. One is potential, the other is actual.