sensitize them about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sensitize them about" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be "sensitize them to" or "sensitize them regarding." Example: "We need to sensitize them to the importance of environmental conservation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Formal & Business

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The community has relied on relief for ages from these organizations and it is high time vigorous/civic education be carried out to sensitize them about floods and the need for their own actions to mitigate the effects of flooding.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Teachers are also working hand-in-hand with parents to sensitize them about hygiene, water and sanitation – so the project provides an educational environment with improved health, further contributing to a world fit for children.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her typical day begins with visiting communities, sensitizing them about the benefits of proper hygiene and sanitation.

Unicef

The initiative is to enhance their professionalism by improving their awareness, sensitize them to environmental issues, and care about the places.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

"It helps to educate and sensitize them.

The New York Times

I decided to sensitize them before they became civil servants and diplomats, and so on.

University of California, Berkeley

When students realize how sick their classmates get, it sensitizes them".

The New York Times

Companies like Google are introducing ways of reducing accidental clicks; others are even playing around with the touchscreen to de-sensitize them for those with less precise fingers.

TechCrunch

But we have sensitized them and we have trained them.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

However, introduction of HCN2 sensitized them to STS/PKC412-induced apoptosis.

EMBO Journal

All healthcare professionals involved in patient care are sensitized to ask about and investigate adverse effects at every encounter.

Drug Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "sensitize them about". Instead, opt for "sensitize them to" or more common alternatives like "make them aware of" or "raise their awareness of" for clearer and more grammatically correct communication.

Common error

The preposition "about" is frequently misused with "sensitize". Always use "to" or rephrase to avoid the issue altogether. For example, instead of "sensitize them about X", use "sensitize them to X" or "make them aware of X".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sensitize them about" functions as a verb phrase aiming to describe the action of increasing someone's awareness or sensitivity towards a particular subject. However, according to Ludwig AI, the preposition usage is not correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "sensitize them about" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves using the preposition "to" instead of "about", or using other alternatives. To maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy, it is advisable to use phrases like "make them aware of" or "raise their awareness of". Therefore, while the intention behind the phrase is clear—to increase awareness—careful consideration should be given to the grammatical structure to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make them aware of

Replaces "sensitize" with a more common and grammatically sound phrase, maintaining the meaning of raising awareness.

raise their awareness of

Focuses on the action of increasing awareness, using a different noun and preposition.

inform them about

Uses a more direct verb to convey the act of providing information.

educate them on

Emphasizes the teaching aspect of sensitizing, focusing on conveying knowledge.

make them conscious of

Highlights bringing something to their consciousness or attention.

alert them to

Suggests warning or making them aware of potential issues.

sensitize them to

Corrects the preposition, which improves grammatical accuracy.

familiarize them with

Implies making them acquainted or knowledgeable about something.

heighten their understanding of

Focuses on improving their comprehension.

brief them on

Suggests a concise explanation or update.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "sensitize them about"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "sensitize" is "to", not "about". It's more appropriate to say "sensitize them to" a particular issue. Alternatively, you can "make them aware of" the issue.

What does it mean to "sensitize" someone?

To "sensitize" someone means to make them more aware of and responsive to a particular issue or situation, often to encourage empathy or understanding. You can also "raise their awareness".

What are some alternatives to "sensitize them about"?

Instead of "sensitize them about", you could say "make them aware of", "inform them about", or "educate them on" a topic. Using "to" instead of "about" is also an option: "sensitize them to".

How can I use "sensitize them to" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "We need to sensitize the public to the dangers of climate change." Another example: "The training program aims to sensitize employees to diversity and inclusion issues."