prone to trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prone to trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is likely to encounter difficulties or problems. Example: "His reckless behavior made him prone to trouble, often landing him in difficult situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Somewhat like Paddington himself, he is kindhearted but prone to trouble.

The New Yorker

While Ford's Skyliner accomplished the same result 40 years ago, its complex hydraulic mechanisms were prone to trouble and robbed luggage space.

The New York Times

Unlike the Class 71, the sister trains in service with NSB were prone to trouble, having to operate on hundred-year-old infrastructure on cross-mountain services; the Class 71 has more lenient operating conditions thanks to better infrastructure.

Wikipedia

Now that my kids are getting older and they're much more prone to trouble, I feel like I've got to stay home more, so I'm just like working on stuff that I can do in LA or at least in one place, because this year, I bet we toured at least seven months out of this year.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sexual development, however, is prone to troubling maladjustments preventing this outcome if the various stages are unsuccessfully negotiated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They also believed that ADHD has impacted their lives in very significant ways, especially with regard to education and career, and their statements support clinical research conclusions that people with ADHD are prone to troubles with addictive behaviors and other activities thought to be risky or dangerous.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Cardiff lost Jarrad Hoeata to a first half sin bin, and though they mounted an adventurous late push, they were too error-prone to trouble Glasgow.

BBC

Yet it would be wrong to conclude that Europeans are any less prone to corporate trouble.

The Economist

But Williams is bothered by a sore right Achilles' he injured last week, and he is prone to foul trouble.

The New York Times - Sports

In his comments, Mr. Qi, the powerful Communist Party chief in Lhasa, urged the authorities who oversee China's heavily Tibetan provinces to coordinate their efforts and to focus on monasteries and "key suspects" who are prone to fomenting trouble.

The New York Times

Xavier: Frease is inconsistent and prone to foul trouble.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, use "prone to trouble" to indicate a recurring pattern of getting into problematic situations. For objects or systems, it suggests a design or inherent flaw that leads to frequent malfunctions or errors.

Common error

Avoid using "prone to trouble" for one-off incidents. This phrase implies a recurring tendency or inherent vulnerability, not a single isolated event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prone to trouble" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a predisposition or tendency towards experiencing difficulties or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. For instance, "Unlike the Class 71, the sister trains in service with NSB were prone to trouble."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prone to trouble" is used to describe a tendency towards experiencing difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but its occurrence is relatively rare. It is most frequently found in news and media, wiki articles, and encyclopedias, but less commonly in academic or formal business contexts. The phrase serves to characterize subjects as vulnerable or flawed. For related expressions, consider alternatives such as "likely to cause problems" or "susceptible to complications" to add nuance or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to cause problems

Focuses more on the potential to create issues rather than inherent tendency.

predisposed to problems

Implies an inherent tendency or susceptibility to issues.

inclined to get into difficulty

Emphasizes the inclination towards situations of hardship or challenge.

apt to encounter setbacks

Focuses on the likelihood of facing obstacles or delays.

susceptible to complications

Highlights vulnerability to complex or problematic situations.

liable to experience difficulties

Emphasizes a legal or inherent responsibility to undergo hardships.

vulnerable to adversity

Focuses on exposure to unfavorable or challenging circumstances.

tending to attract problems

Suggests an attraction or proneness to problematic situations.

at risk of facing difficulties

Highlights the possibility of encountering challenging circumstances.

inviting complications

Highlights the action of creating or attracting difficult situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "prone to trouble" to describe someone or something that frequently encounters problems. For example, "The old car was "prone to trouble", requiring frequent repairs."

What are some alternatives to "prone to trouble"?

Alternatives to "prone to trouble" include "likely to cause problems", "susceptible to complications", or "at risk of facing difficulties", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "prone of trouble" instead of "prone to trouble"?

No, the correct phrasing is "prone to trouble". The preposition "to" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically correct. Saying "prone of trouble" is incorrect.

What is the difference between "prone to trouble" and "troubled"?

"Prone to trouble" describes a tendency to experience problems or difficulties, while "troubled" describes a state of being worried, anxious, or experiencing difficulties. A "troubled" person is currently experiencing "difficulties", whereas someone "prone to trouble" is likely to experience them in the future.