stable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stable to" is not commonly used in written English and may not be correct depending on the context.
It can be used in technical or scientific contexts to describe a system or material that maintains its state under certain conditions. Example: "The compound is stable to heat, meaning it does not decompose when exposed to high temperatures."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who can find nothing stable to believe in?

The New York Times

They are stable to many chemical reagents and to heat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The Cleveland Fed district was alone in reporting "stable to improving" sales).

The New York Times

Moody's and Standard & Poor's downgraded its long-term rating from stable to negative.

The New York Times

The characters in "Session 9" are none too stable to begin with.

The New York Times

It centred on God incarnate, born in a stable to save us from our sins.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Stable to table" is the other overused catch phrase that apparently appealed to HBO's writers.

The New York Times

But the others.... Bonnie was on her way out to the stable to scavenge.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even in Bethlehem 2000 years ago people offered space in a stable to the desperate.

The Guardian - Arts

The world is smiling at us". "We just really want to be stable, to resettle.

The Guardian

After the figures ratings agency Fitch moved its outlook on Tesco from stable to negative.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the stability of a chemical compound or material, specify the conditions under which it remains "stable to", such as temperature, pressure, or exposure to certain chemicals.

Common error

Ensure that the context clarifies what the subject is "stable to". Vague statements can lead to confusion; specify the stressor or condition that the subject withstands.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stable to" typically functions as a prepositional adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating its resistance or lack of reaction to a specific condition or substance. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often used in technical contexts. Many examples in Ludwig show this usage in scientific and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Forbes

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stable to" is a prepositional adjective phrase used to describe the resistance of something to a particular condition or substance. While generally grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI notes that it is essential to specify what the subject is stable to in order to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "resistant to" or "durable against" can be used depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. Examples from Ludwig show its frequent application in describing chemical compounds, financial ratings, and even emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resistant to

Emphasizes the ability to withstand or oppose the effects of something.

durable against

Highlights the capacity to endure or last despite adverse conditions.

impervious to

Suggests complete invulnerability or inability to be affected.

immune to

Indicates protection or exemption from something harmful or undesirable.

unaffected by

Stresses the lack of impact or influence from something.

holds up against

Implies maintaining integrity or condition when confronted with something.

maintains integrity under

Focuses on preserving structural or functional wholeness despite exposure.

not susceptible to

Highlights a lack of vulnerability or sensitivity to a particular influence.

proof against

Implies being designed or treated to prevent something from affecting it.

unresponsive to

Indicates a lack of reaction or effect when exposed to a specific stimulus.

FAQs

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

You can use "stable to" to describe something that resists change under certain conditions. For example: "This material is "stable to" high temperatures".

What's a good alternative to using "stable to"?

Alternatives include "resistant to", "durable against", or "immune to", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stable to"?

Yes, "stable to" is grammatically acceptable, particularly in technical and scientific contexts where it describes resistance to specific conditions or substances.

What does it mean for something to be "stable to" a particular condition?

It means that the thing in question does not significantly change or degrade when exposed to that condition. For example, a chemical compound that is "stable to" heat will not decompose or react at high temperatures.