to be resistant to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be resistant to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not easily affected or influenced by a particular factor or condition. Example: "The new material is designed to be resistant to extreme temperatures, ensuring durability in harsh environments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His infection proved to be resistant to many drug combinations.

The Guardian

Why do they tend to be resistant to choirs?

The Guardian - Music

The seeds are genetically modified to be resistant to Roundup Ready weedkiller.

The Guardian

They appear to be resistant to injections of cancer cells that kill all ordinary mice.

The New York Times - Health

"With resequencing we find cultivars that seem to be resistant to drought.

The Guardian

They'll probably go to fungicides or breed their coca to be resistant to the fungus.

The New York Times

What's more, many of these major issues appear to be resistant to current approaches to solving them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, some experts say, many pathogens can be used in an attack, some genetically engineered to be resistant to antibiotics.

The New York Times

Its single-handed savior was a breed engineered to be resistant to the virus.

The New York Times

Chinese scientists found the strain to be resistant to eight classes of antibiotics.

Independent

Retrograded starch is known to be resistant to digestion.

Carbohydrate Polymers

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to be resistant to", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being resisted and what is providing the resistance. For example, "The new strain of wheat is designed to be resistant to common fungal infections".

Common error

Avoid using "to be resistant to" without specifying the agent or condition being resisted. Saying something is "resistant" without further context can create ambiguity and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be resistant to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate its ability to withstand or oppose something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be resistant to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that can withstand or oppose a particular force or influence. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's frequently encountered across various domains, particularly in scientific, news-related, and formal contexts. While it's widely used and considered correct, be mindful of providing sufficient context, specifying what the subject is resisting and what it's resistant to, in order to ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives include "to be immune to" or "to be impervious to", among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be immune to

Focuses specifically on immunity, often in a biological or metaphorical sense, implying complete protection.

to be impervious to

Suggests an inability to be penetrated or affected, highlighting a lack of susceptibility.

to be unaffected by

Emphasizes the lack of influence or impact, indicating that something remains unchanged.

to withstand

Highlights the ability to endure or resist the effects of something, focusing on perseverance.

to oppose

Emphasizes active resistance or antagonism, suggesting a deliberate act of opposition.

to hold out against

Implies resisting persistent pressure or attacks, suggesting a prolonged effort to remain unaffected.

to stand up to

Suggests confronting something challenging or threatening, highlighting courage and resilience.

to deflect

Implies redirecting or avoiding something, focusing on averting a negative impact.

to rebuff

Emphasizes a firm rejection or resistance, suggesting a clear unwillingness to accept something.

to ward off

Highlights protective action to prevent something from affecting you, such as illness or negativity.

FAQs

How can I use "to be resistant to" in a sentence?

Use "to be resistant to" to describe something that is not easily affected or harmed by something else. For example, "This material is designed "to be resistant to" corrosion."

What are some alternatives to "to be resistant to"?

Alternatives include "to be immune to", "to be impervious to", or "to be unaffected by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "resistant against" or "resistant to"?

"Resistant to" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. While "resistant against" might be understood, "resistant to" is widely accepted in formal writing.

Can "to be resistant to" apply to abstract concepts, or is it only for physical objects?

"To be resistant to" can apply to both. You can say a material is "to be resistant to" heat (physical) or that a person is "to be resistant to" change (abstract).