sensitive to changes

USAGE SUMMARY

'sensitive to changes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something that is aware of or responds quickly to alterations. For example, "The patient's condition is very sensitive to changes in the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are extremely sensitive to changes in how the wind is blowing -- and are not above changing their tunes accordingly.

The New York Times

Their earnings are most sensitive to changes in oil prices.

The New York Times

But corals are sensitive to changes in sea temperature.

The Guardian

"But it would be very sensitive to changes in enthusiasm.

Independent

The cardiac reactivity was sensitive to changes in stimulus characteristics.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Emissions were most sensitive to changes in lagoon pH.

Atmospheric Environment

Glaciated alpine landscapes are sensitive to changes in climate.

Quaternary Research

"Terns are incredibly sensitive to changes in the marine environment," said Bevan.

The Guardian

Special nerve cells called osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus are very sensitive to changes in serum osmolality.

Britannica

First, atmospheric temperatures are more sensitive to changes in El Ni��o than surface temperatures.

The Guardian

Side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) is sensitive to changes in land slope and surface roughness.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that reacts strongly to even minor adjustments, "sensitive to changes" is a fitting choice. Ensure the context clearly defines what kind of changes are being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sensitive to changes" when describing something that only reacts to significant or major alterations. The phrase implies a heightened level of responsiveness, so choose vocabulary that accurately reflects the degree of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sensitive to changes" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its responsiveness or susceptibility to alterations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing examples where it describes various entities, from market sentiment to physical instruments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sensitive to changes" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something highly responsive or easily affected by alterations. Ludwig AI supports this, showcasing its varied usage across news, science, academia and encyclopedias. The phrase is typically neutral in register, although it can lean toward more formal contexts, indicating a need for awareness and careful handling of the subject being described. When using the phrase, ensure the level of responsiveness accurately matches the context to prevent overstatement. Related phrases such as "responsive to alterations" or "susceptible to variations" offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsive to alterations

Focuses on the active reaction to changes, rather than just susceptibility.

susceptible to variations

Emphasizes vulnerability and the potential for being affected by changes.

easily affected by shifts

Highlights the ease with which changes can have an impact.

reactive to modifications

Implies a direct and immediate response to modifications.

influenced by fluctuations

Indicates that changes cause a shift or alteration in the subject.

vulnerable to adjustments

Stresses the weakness or exposure to negative effects from adjustments.

amenable to revisions

Suggests a willingness or capacity to accept or be changed by revisions.

impressionable to transformations

Highlights that transformations can leave a deep impact.

liable to be changed

States a probability or tendency to undergo changes.

subject to variations

Indicates that variations will inevitably occur, affecting the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "sensitive to changes" to describe something easily affected by alterations, such as "The instrument is very "sensitive to changes" in temperature" or "The market is "sensitive to changes" in investor confidence".

What are some alternatives to "sensitive to changes"?

Alternatives include "responsive to alterations", "susceptible to variations", or "easily affected by shifts" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "sensitive to change" or "sensitive to changes"?

"Sensitive to changes" is generally preferred because it implies a reaction to multiple or varying alterations, whereas "sensitive to change" could suggest a reaction to a single, specific change. Both are acceptable, but the plural form is more common.

What makes something "sensitive to changes"?

Something is "sensitive to changes" when it exhibits a noticeable or significant reaction to even slight modifications in its environment or conditions. This could be due to its inherent properties, design, or composition.