receptive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'receptive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is open to new ideas or willing to listen to others. For example: My boss was very receptive to my suggestions for improving the company's operations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Part of the softening of politicians to be receptive to the most extreme views on Israel and Palestine comes from those sponsored trips, coupled with relatively weak Palestinian advocacy and a post 9/11 context which paints Arabs with a discriminatory brush.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he expected them to be "very receptive to it".

The Guardian

However, both point out that there is still a long way to go, since they are operating in an industry that is less receptive to Asian artists, and far kinder to men than women.

The Guardian

These brainwaves are associated with relaxation, but also suggestibility – something advertisers look to capitalise on by making your receptive brain associate their brands with positive emotions.

The Guardian

McNicol then arranged for this potentially receptive voter to get a call from the local candidate, Sharon Taylor, leader of the council.

The Guardian - Opinion

Paired by Warner Brothers in a recurring double-act with the imposingly corpulent Greenstreet (they have been memorably described as "the Laurel and Hardy of crime"), Lorre found a home in film noir, a genre receptive to grotesque vigour and the eccentric variety of life.

The Guardian - Film

While the immediate outlooks for both fighters were unclear, an immediate rematch would make sense – an idea Lee was more than receptive to.

The Guardian - Sport

Finn is an intelligent man but there is a suspicion he has been too receptive to influence, that a bowler who was not really broken – Finn was dropped most recently after taking 40 wickets in his past 11 Test matches – has been broken by being needlessly fixed many times over.

The Guardian - Sport

Open, receptive and ongoing dialogue between the interested and informed parties is the way to bring about a societal consensus that can help mould that future.

The Guardian

"I found her receptive and well informed, with strong views and committed to working for gender equality," Bradshaw said.

The Guardian

They encounter mixed results among shoppers being offered plastic bags containing Ukip literature, although there's a more receptive audience from pensioners Jan and Ron Duchemin, who moved from London 20 years ago after "losing everything" in the 1980s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "receptive" when you want to convey a positive attitude towards new ideas, suggestions, or influences. For example, describe a team as "receptive to feedback" to highlight their openness to improvement.

Common error

While "receptive" is generally positive, be mindful of overuse in very formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "responsive" or "amenable" may offer a more nuanced and appropriate tone depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The word "receptive" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone as being open and willing to receive new ideas, suggestions, or influences. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage, showing how "receptive" is used to characterize individuals, groups, or even environments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "receptive" is a versatile adjective used to describe openness and willingness to receive new ideas or influences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. When aiming for nuance, consider synonyms such as "open-minded" or "responsive". Remember that while highly versatile, avoid overuse in formal contexts for more precise diction. Overall, "receptive" is a valuable word for conveying positive and collaborative attributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open-minded

Focuses on the willingness to consider diverse perspectives and ideas.

responsive

Emphasizes the promptness and positivity of a reaction or reply.

amenable

Highlights a readiness or willingness to agree or comply.

susceptible

Suggests a vulnerability or tendency to be affected by something.

open to

Indicates a willingness to explore or consider something.

accepting

Implies a welcoming attitude towards something or someone.

impressionable

Suggests being easily influenced, particularly in youth.

easily influenced

Focuses on the ease with which someone's views or actions can be swayed.

able to receive

Highlights the capacity or ability to take in something.

willing to consider

Emphasizes the readiness to give thought to a matter.

FAQs

How can I use "receptive" in a sentence?

You can use "receptive" to describe someone or something that is open and responsive to new ideas or influences. For example, "The company was very "receptive" to employee suggestions".

What are some synonyms for "receptive"?

Synonyms for "receptive" include "open-minded", "responsive", and "amenable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "receptive to" or "receptive of"?

"Receptive to" is the more common and generally preferred construction. While "receptive of" isn't necessarily incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What's the difference between "receptive" and "responsive"?

"Receptive" implies an openness to receiving new information or ideas, while "responsive" suggests a reaction or answer to something. Someone can be "receptive" without being immediately "responsive", and vice versa.