susceptible listener

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "susceptible listener" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is easily influenced or affected by external messages or persuasion. Example: "The speaker tailored his message to appeal to the susceptible listener, knowing that emotional appeals would resonate more deeply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His efforts registered particularly, it seemed to one susceptible listener on a day dominated by war, in the phrases "et in terra pax" ("and peace on earth") and "dona nobis pacem" ("give us peace").

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

'The perception, right or wrong, that Islam is under attack globally by the West and here in the UK with government policies – that's all making people more susceptible.' Some listeners might regard this as editorialising; an angry young man lecturing on politics rather than reporting the news.

Independent

There was great concern about distracted and gullible listeners being susceptible to propagandists.

The New Yorker

But there are no data to suggest that today's 'tweens are any more discerning than their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago; they may be the last group of listeners who are still susceptible to a Monkees-style all-media blitz.

The New York Times - Arts

This plot shows how susceptible the present systems are compared with a human listener with latest noise experimental setup.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The address reminded listeners of the female face of infectious diseases: women may be biologically more susceptible to certain infections and suffer more severe complications.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Why "susceptible"?

The New Yorker

His listener seems unconvinced.

The Economist

We're all susceptible.

The New York Times

What made others susceptible?

The New Yorker

"Ed is terribly susceptible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "susceptible listener", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the listener's state. Is the listener truly vulnerable, or simply open-minded?

Common error

Avoid portraying a "susceptible listener" solely as passively absorbing information. A listener can be susceptible due to active engagement or emotional resonance, not just a lack of critical thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "susceptible listener" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "susceptible" modifies the noun "listener". This specifies a type of listener who is easily influenced or affected by external factors, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "susceptible listener" describes someone easily influenced, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and usability. While not very common, it appears in both news and scientific contexts. Related phrases like "easily influenced listener" or "vulnerable listener" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential implications and ensure it accurately reflects the listener's state of mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily influenced listener

Replaces "susceptible" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the ease of influence.

vulnerable listener

Highlights the listener's vulnerability to external influences.

impressionable listener

Emphasizes the listener's readiness to form opinions based on new information.

receptive audience

Shifts focus to the listener as part of a larger group, highlighting their openness.

gullible recipient

Suggests the listener is easily deceived or misled.

open-minded listener

Indicates a listener willing to consider different viewpoints, but doesn't necessarily mean easily influenced.

persuadable individual

Focuses on the characteristic of being able to be convinced.

naive recipient

Suggests a lack of experience or worldliness, making the listener susceptible.

responsive audience

Highlights the audience's tendency to react positively to what they hear.

easily swayed listener

Stresses the listener's characteristic of being easily diverted from an opinion or course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "susceptible listener" in a sentence?

You can use "susceptible listener" to describe someone who is easily influenced by what they hear. For example, "The politician targeted his message towards the "susceptible listener", knowing they would believe his promises."

What's a good alternative to "susceptible listener"?

Depending on the context, you could use "easily influenced listener", "vulnerable listener", or "impressionable listener" as alternatives.

Is "susceptible listener" a negative term?

Not necessarily. While "susceptible" can imply vulnerability, it can also simply mean someone is open to new ideas. The connotation depends on the context in which the phrase is used.

What makes someone a "susceptible listener"?

Several factors can contribute, including emotional state, lack of prior knowledge, or a strong desire to believe what they are hearing.