more prone

[Narol]

Hello,

Do we use the phrase "more prone", for example:

He is more prone to using the modernist techniques ...

If we do use "more prone", what is the form of the verb that follows it, that is, do we use to + infinitive (to use) or to + ing (to using)?

Thank you.

 

[SoothingDave]

One is usually prone or not. It is not common to talk about being more or less prone.

 

[Tdol]

However, it's not incorrect. I would use to using there.

 

[Narol]

Hello,

Thank you for your replies. The thing is that I have found "more prone" several times on books and internet pages. Does it mean they got it all wrong?
Here is a link of the sites using this form: https://www.google.al/webhp?sourcei...=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q="more+prone+to"&start=30

 

[Rover_KE]

Dave said 'more prone' is not common; Tdol said it is not incorrect.

What makes you conclude they think it's wrong?

Those still interested can read more answers here.

 

[Narol]

"It is not common to talk about being more or less prone.", said Dave.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I have no problem using "more" or "less" prone in the right context.

 

[tedmc]

If you are more prone to sickness, you fall sick more easily. I think it makes sense. It is a matter of degree. Different people have different levels of resistance to sickness.

Not a teacher

 

[Raymott]

You still have to be more prone than someone else.

 

[SoothingDave]

"It is not common to talk about being more or less prone.", said Dave.

"Not common" does not mean grammatically incorrect.

 

[Tdol]

"It is not common to talk about being more or less prone.", said Dave.

Many things are not common; that doesn't make them incorrect. I added that it wasn't incorrect to what SoothingDave had said. No one said it was wrong.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The use of "more prone" does not require another person for comparison. It could just as easily apply to the original person in a normal state.

 

[emsr2d2]

I've always been prone to falling asleep quickly but in the last few months, I seem to have been more prone than usual.
I'm prone to jumping to conclusions but my cousin is even more prone to it than I.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The use of corticosteroids can make one more prone to infection.

 

[Raymott]

The use of corticosteroids can make one more prone to infection.

Of course, but 'more' still implies a comparison, whether it's explicitly stated or not.
"Patients on corticosteroids are more prone to infection [than patients not on corticosteroids]."
No, you don't need another person, but you do need a comparison.

"He is more prone to using the modernist techniques ..."
" ... than most people are."
" ... than he is to using old-fashioned techniques."

 

[MikeNewYork]

But my point was that the comparison could be the person on the drug compared with the same person before he/she was on the drug.