sensitive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'sensitive to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is aware of or easily affected by certain emotions or situations. For example: She was very sensitive to their criticism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm sensitive to that.

The New York Times - Sports

He's sensitive to that.

The New York Times - Sports

It is sensitive to ambiguities.

The New Yorker

It is sensitive to news.

The Economist

I'm sensitive to that point.

The Economist

Sensitive to feeling left out?

The New York Times

Sensitive to scale.

The Guardian

Be sensitive to timing.

The New York Times

"Sensitive to what?

The Guardian - Books

I'm very sensitive to bug bites.

The New York Times

They are sensitive to charges of scaremongering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sensitive to", ensure the object of sensitivity is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify if someone is "sensitive to criticism" or "sensitive to changes in temperature".

Common error

Avoid using "sensitive to" without specifying what the sensitivity is about. Saying someone is simply "sensitive" is less informative than saying they are "sensitive to the needs of others".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sensitive to" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase followed by a preposition. It is used to describe a state of being easily affected or responsive to something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sensitive to" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a state of being easily affected or responsive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is important to specify the object of sensitivity to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "aware of" or "responsive to" exist, they have nuanced differences. This phrase appears frequently in news, wikis, and scientific articles, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aware of

Focuses on knowledge or perception of something, rather than being easily affected by it.

responsive to

Highlights the reaction or action taken in response to something.

susceptible to

Emphasizes vulnerability or proneness to being affected negatively.

vulnerable to

Similar to susceptible but often implies a greater risk of harm.

attuned to

Suggests a fine-tuned awareness or understanding, often of subtle cues.

cognizant of

Implies formal acknowledgement or recognition of something.

open to

Indicates a willingness to consider or accept something.

impressionable to

Highlights the ease with which someone can be influenced.

receptive to

Focuses on willingness to receive or accept something, like ideas or suggestions.

affected by

Broadly indicates being influenced or impacted by something, without specifying the degree of sensitivity.

FAQs

How can I use "sensitive to" in a sentence?

You can use "sensitive to" to describe someone or something easily affected by something else, as in "She is very sensitive to the cold" or "The instrument is sensitive to changes in pressure".

What's the difference between "sensitive to" and "sensible to"?

"Sensitive to" means easily affected by something, while "sensible to" is less common and usually means aware of something. Therefore, they aren't interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "sensitive to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "aware of", "responsive to", or "susceptible to".

Is it correct to say "sensitively to" instead of "sensitive to"?

While "sensitively" can describe how something is done, it's generally incorrect to use "sensitively to" in place of "sensitive to". The latter describes a state of being easily affected.