too prone to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too prone to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is excessively susceptible to a particular condition or behavior. Example: "He is too prone to making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is too prone to viral attacks and too complicated.

MIT Technology Review

This process is far too prone to abuse.

The New York Times

But this country is too prone to thinking only in the short term.

University of California, Berkeley

Either that, or even plain-vanilla trading is too prone to blowups for comfort.

The New York Times

Mr. Santorum had called him unstable, undisciplined and too prone to surprises.

The New York Times

The executive is too weak, the legislature too prone to indecision, the voting system too proportional.

The Economist

The 287 g) program is also far too prone to abuse.

The New York Times

Too stupid and too prone to over-indulgence generally, in fact.

The Guardian

Just make sure, she adds, that the friends are not too prone to rumination themselves.

The New York Times - Science

But the add-on system's design was too prone to electrical failures, he said.

The New York Times

This has led many to ask if the hashtag system is too prone to abuse.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too prone to", ensure the context clearly indicates the undesirable consequences or risks associated with the tendency. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "too prone to" when a milder degree of susceptibility is intended. Using alternatives like "somewhat susceptible to" or "slightly inclined to" can offer a more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too prone to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something or someone has an excessive or undesirable tendency towards a particular action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too prone to" effectively conveys an undesirable tendency or susceptibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent occurrence across various sources, primarily in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When employing this phrase, consider the negative implications and whether an alternative term or expression would be more fitting. Also, be mindful of not overstating the degree of susceptibility and ensure your choice of vocabulary is aligned with the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively inclined to

Emphasizes the tendency or disposition towards something, adding a stronger degree of inclination.

overly susceptible to

Highlights vulnerability or sensitivity, changing the focus to a state of being easily affected.

highly vulnerable to

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being at risk or easily harmed by something.

especially susceptible to

Adds emphasis to the degree of susceptibility, making it particularly significant.

particularly inclined toward

Highlights the inclination with specific attention, directing the focus toward a certain preference or leaning.

tends to be easily affected by

Rephrases the idea as a common behavior or outcome, focusing on the action of being influenced.

predisposed to

Indicates a built-in tendency or inclination, suggesting a natural or inherent leaning.

liable to

Implies a legal or formal sense of responsibility, altering the tone to something more obligatory.

apt to

Suggests a natural tendency or suitability, making the phrase more concise and direct.

susceptible to

General term indicating openness to influence, but with less intensity than "too prone to".

FAQs

How can I use "too prone to" in a sentence?

Use "too prone to" to indicate an excessive or undesirable tendency towards something. For example, "The system is "too prone to errors"" or "He is "too prone to impulsive decisions"".

What are some alternatives to "too prone to"?

Alternatives include "overly susceptible to", "excessively inclined to", or "highly vulnerable to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "very prone to" instead of "too prone to"?

Yes, "very prone to" is grammatically correct and expresses a high degree of likelihood. However, "too prone to" implies that this likelihood is excessive or undesirable, adding a layer of negative connotation that "very prone to" might not.

What's the difference between "prone to" and "too prone to"?

"Prone to" simply means having a tendency or inclination. Adding "too" indicates that this tendency is excessive or problematic. For example, "He is prone to mistakes" suggests he makes errors, while "He is "too prone to mistakes"" suggests he makes an unacceptable number of errors.