sensitize to

USAGE SUMMARY

"sensitize to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing raising awareness or understanding of a particular issue or topic. Example: "We need to sensitize the community to the importance of mental health." Alternative expressions include "make aware of" and "raise awareness of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Through the induction of these steroid sensitizing cytokines by DIMS0150, it was speculated that DIMS0150 can sensitize to steroids and therefore was beneficial in the first pilot study in steroid resistant UC patients on concomitant steroid dosage.

BMC Gastroenterology

According to Jason Felch, author of Chasing Aphrodite: The Hunt for Looted Antiquities at the World's Richest Museum, "museum culture in the US has been slow to sensitize to the realities of the illicit trade".

The Guardian

Logic-based modeling uncovers combinations of alterations that sensitize to drugs, while machine learning demonstrates the relative importance of different data types in predicting drug response.

Cell

The testing order (first vs. second visit) had no impact on behavioral and physiological parameters, suggesting that dogs did not habituate or sensitize to the examination procedure.

Physiology & Behavior

Treatment of TRAIL resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells with specific kinase inhibitors or known chemotherapeutic drugs revealed that both classes of agent could sensitize to TRAIL in a caspase-dependent manner [18].

Plosone

Since increased calcium concentrations within the ER can sensitize to ER stress [29], it is possible that mutations or epigenetic factors that alter presenilin function in Alzheimer's disease could promote neuronal death via ER-related mechanisms.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

On the flip side, I am particularly sensitive and sensitized to some of the ills of earthly existence.

Huffington Post

We can help survivors of rape to heal and try to sensitize men to respect women.

Huffington Post

"I have tried to sensitize him to things," Mr. Affleck said.

The New York Times

"The answer is to sensitize people to accept that it's a problem".

The New York Times

Mr. Allen had hoped to sensitize us to long-buried horrors of America's racial past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sensitize to" when you want to convey the idea of making something or someone more responsive or susceptible to a particular stimulus, influence, or issue. For example, in medical contexts, it can refer to making cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sensitize to" with "sensitive to". "Sensitive to" describes a pre-existing state of being easily affected, while "sensitize to" describes the action of making something more reactive or aware.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sensitize to" is to act as a verb phrase expressing the action of making someone or something more sensitive or responsive to a particular stimulus or condition. This usage is supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sensitize to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates making something or someone more responsive or susceptible to a particular stimulus or condition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish it from "sensitive to", which describes a pre-existing state. Consider using alternatives like "heighten awareness of" or "make aware of" depending on the specific context. "Sensitize to" is a versatile phrase that can effectively communicate the idea of increasing awareness or responsiveness in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase sensitivity to

Focuses on elevating the level of sensitivity rather than the process of becoming sensitive.

heighten awareness of

Emphasizes making someone more conscious and informed about a particular issue.

make susceptible to

Highlights the increased vulnerability or likelihood of being affected by something.

predispose to

Suggests a tendency or inclination towards something, often negative.

make responsive to

Implies causing someone or something to react more readily to a stimulus.

increase vulnerability to

Highlights the increased risk or exposure to potential harm or negative effects.

make aware of

Focuses on the act of informing someone about something, increasing their knowledge.

increase exposure to

Emphasizes raising the degree of contact or interaction with something.

develop a sensitivity to

Indicates the process of acquiring a sensitivity over time.

become attuned to

Suggests developing a deeper understanding or empathy towards something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "sensitize to" indicates making something or someone more responsive or susceptible to something. For example, "The new training program aims to "sensitize to" cultural differences in the workplace."

What are some alternatives to "sensitize to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "heighten awareness of", "make aware of", or "increase sensitivity to" as alternatives to "sensitize to".

Is it correct to say "sensitize about" instead of "sensitize to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "sensitize" in this context is "to". "Sensitize about" is not standard English usage. Use ""sensitize to"".

What is the difference between "sensitize to" and "be sensitive to"?

"Sensitize to" implies an action of making someone or something more aware or reactive. "Be sensitive to" describes a state of already being aware or easily affected. For example, "We need to sensitize people to the dangers of smoking," versus "She is very sensitive to criticism."