The word "prone" describes a tendency to be affected by something, often negative, or to act in a certain way. For example, someone might be described as "prone to accidents" if they frequently have them, or "prone to worry" if they tend to worry a lot.
It can also describe a physical position, specifically lying flat on your stomach. So, if a patient is asked to lie "prone" on an examination table, it means they should lie face down.
The term "prone" encapsulates two distinct yet semantically related meanings, both denoting a susceptibility or a specific physical orientation. Firstly, it describes an inherent inclination or predisposition towards experiencing something, often undesirable or negative. For instance, an individual might be described as "prone to accidents," implying a higher likelihood of encountering them.
Secondly, "prone" refers to a physical posture where the body is positioned horizontally, face or front downward. This can be observed in contexts such as medical examinations or certain exercises, where a person lies on their stomach.
While seemingly disparate, both definitions share the underlying concept of a particular state or position that an entity can assume, either metaphorically in terms of tendency or literally in terms of physical alignment. Understanding the context is crucial for accurate interpretation of the term.
The word "prone" is quite interesting because it has two distinct meanings, both of which are useful to understand. Let's break them down.
§ Meaning 1: Susceptibility or Likelihood
- Definition
- Being likely to suffer from, do, or experience something, typically something regrettable or negative.
This usage of "prone" describes a tendency or a predisposition. It means someone or something is more likely to experience a particular outcome, often a negative one. Think of it as being susceptible to something.
He is prone to making mistakes when he is tired.
The car is prone to overheating on long journeys.
In these examples, "prone" tells us that there's a higher chance of something specific happening under certain conditions. It's often used when talking about:
- **Health issues:** Someone might be "prone to allergies" or "prone to colds."
- **Behavioral patterns:** A person could be "prone to procrastination" or "prone to anger."
- **Mechanical failures:** A machine might be "prone to breakdowns."
§ Meaning 2: Physical Position
- Definition
- It also refers to a physical position where one is lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.
This meaning refers to a specific body posture. When someone is "prone," they are lying on their stomach, face down. Imagine lying on a beach to sunbathe your back – that's a prone position.
The doctor asked the patient to lie prone on the examination table.
After falling, he was found lying prone on the ground.
This usage is common in medical contexts, exercise instructions, or when describing how someone is positioned after an event, like a fall. The opposite of "prone" in this sense is "supine," which means lying on your back, face up.
§ When do people use it?
People use "prone" to convey a sense of either inherent likelihood or a specific physical orientation. It's a precise word that helps to clearly communicate these ideas.
- When describing someone's tendencies or vulnerabilities, especially to negative experiences.
- In medical or anatomical descriptions to indicate a body position.
- In literature or news reports to describe a person's posture, especially if they are injured or unconscious.
Understanding both meanings of "prone" is key to correctly interpreting its use in various contexts. While the two meanings seem unrelated, context usually makes it clear which one is being used.
§ Introduction to 'Prone'
The word 'prone' can be a little tricky because it has two distinct meanings, one referring to a state of being susceptible to something, and the other describing a physical position. Understanding both contexts is key to using it correctly.
- DEFINITION
- Being likely to suffer from, do, or experience something, typically something regrettable or negative. It also refers to a physical position where one is lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.
§ Prone: Susceptibility and Likelihood
In its first sense, 'prone' describes a tendency or a likelihood to experience something, often something undesirable. Think of it as being 'disposed to' or 'apt to'. This usage is quite common in describing health conditions, habits, or general inclinations.
She is prone to headaches, especially during stressful periods.
Some materials are more prone to rust than others.
When using 'prone' in this way, you'll often see it followed by the preposition 'to' and then a noun or a verb in its '-ing' form. It emphasizes an inherent tendency rather than a one-off event.
§ Prone: A Physical Position
The second meaning of 'prone' describes a specific body position: lying flat with your face and front of your body downwards. This is often used in medical contexts, exercise instructions, or when describing how someone is lying.
The patient was placed in a prone position for the examination.
He fell face down, lying prone on the floor.
It's important to distinguish this from 'supine', which means lying on your back, face upwards. These two words are often confused, so it's good to keep them separate in your mind.
§ Similar Words and When to Use 'Prone' vs. Alternatives
When discussing susceptibility or likelihood, several words can be used instead of 'prone', but each carries slightly different nuances:
Susceptible:
This is very close in meaning to 'prone', implying a vulnerability or openness to something. It often suggests a lack of resistance or protection.
Children are more susceptible to colds.
Use 'susceptible' when you want to highlight a lack of defense or an inherent weakness to something, whereas 'prone' emphasizes a natural tendency.
Liable:
'Liable' also means likely to do or experience something, but it often implies a legal or moral responsibility, or a strong likelihood of something negative happening as a consequence.
If you don't wear a helmet, you're liable to get a head injury.
While 'prone' focuses on an inherent tendency, 'liable' often points to a consequence of an action or situation.
Apt:
'Apt' means appropriate or suitable in the circumstances, or having a tendency to do something. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, unlike 'prone' which is usually negative.
He's apt to forget appointments.
Use 'apt' when the tendency might be neutral or even slightly positive, or when you're simply stating a characteristic behavior.
Inclined:
'Inclined' suggests a preference or a slight tendency to do something. It's often milder than 'prone' and can refer to more conscious choices or preferences.
She is inclined to agree with his proposal.
Use 'inclined' when describing a general leaning or preference, which can be positive, negative, or neutral. 'Prone' is almost exclusively used for negative tendencies.
In summary, while these words share some common ground, 'prone' is particularly useful when you want to highlight a consistent, often inherent, vulnerability or tendency towards something unfavorable. Its dual meaning, encompassing both psychological susceptibility and a physical position, makes it a versatile word in the English language.
按水平分级的例句
He is prone to make mistakes.
Он склонен совершать ошибки.
Here 'prone' means likely to do something.
She is prone to accidents.
Она склонна к несчастным случаям.
Here 'prone' means likely to experience something negative.
The old car is prone to breaking down.
Старая машина склонна ломаться.
Here 'prone' describes a tendency of an object.
Cats are prone to sleeping a lot.
Кошки склонны много спать.
Here 'prone' describes a characteristic behavior of animals.
He lay prone on the ground.
Он лежал ничком на земле.
Here 'prone' describes a physical position, lying face down.
The doctor told him to lie prone.
Врач сказал ему лечь ничком.
Here 'prone' is used as an instruction for a physical position.
The injured player was prone on the field.
Травмированный игрок лежал ничком на поле.
Here 'prone' describes the position of a person after an injury.
Babies should not sleep prone.
Младенцам не следует спать на животе.
Here 'prone' is used in the context of a sleeping position for babies.
He's prone to making mistakes when he's tired.
He's likely to make mistakes when he's tired.
My car is prone to breaking down in cold weather.
My car often breaks down when it's cold.
She's prone to getting headaches if she doesn't drink enough water.
She often gets headaches if she doesn't drink enough water.
The dog was lying prone on the floor, fast asleep.
The dog was lying face down on the floor, fast asleep.
This area is prone to flooding after heavy rain.
This area often floods after heavy rain.
He's prone to forgetting his keys, so he has a spare.
He often forgets his keys, so he has an extra one.
The patient was asked to lie prone for the examination.
The patient was asked to lie face down for the examination.
Children are more prone to infections during winter.
Children are more likely to get infections in winter.
He's prone to making impulsive decisions, which often leads to unforeseen complications.
He tends to make impulsive decisions, which often causes unexpected problems.
Here, 'prone to' is followed by a gerund ('making').
Due to her delicate immune system, she is particularly prone to seasonal illnesses.
Because of her weak immune system, she easily catches seasonal illnesses.
'Prone to' is used with a noun phrase ('seasonal illnesses').
The old bridge, weakened by years of neglect, was prone to collapsing during heavy storms.
The old bridge, in disrepair, was likely to collapse in strong storms.
'Prone to' is followed by a gerund ('collapsing').
Children are often prone to exaggeration, sometimes embellishing stories to make them more exciting.
Children often exaggerate, sometimes making stories more interesting.
Again, 'prone to' followed by a gerund ('exaggeration').
The company's outdated software made its systems prone to cyberattacks and data breaches.
The company's old software made its systems vulnerable to cyberattacks and data theft.
'Prone to' is used with a noun phrase ('cyberattacks and data breaches').
He was found lying prone on the floor, unconscious, after the fall.
He was found lying face down on the floor, unconscious, after the fall.
In this context, 'prone' describes a physical position, functioning as an adjective.
Many professional athletes are prone to certain injuries due to the repetitive nature of their sport.
Many professional athletes are susceptible to specific injuries because of their sport's repetitive actions.
'Prone to' is followed by a noun phrase ('certain injuries').
The region is prone to earthquakes, so buildings are constructed with strict seismic safety codes.
The area experiences frequent earthquakes, so buildings are built with strict earthquake safety standards.
'Prone to' is used with a noun phrase ('earthquakes').
The region is notoriously prone to earthquakes, necessitating stringent building codes and advanced seismic monitoring systems.
The area is very susceptible to earthquakes.
Here, 'prone to' indicates susceptibility to a negative event.
Despite his meticulous planning, the project was still prone to unforeseen delays due to the volatile market conditions.
The project was still likely to experience unexpected delays.
'Prone to' highlights a tendency towards an undesirable outcome.
She adopted a prone position for the advanced yoga pose, demonstrating exceptional core strength and flexibility.
She lay face down for the yoga pose.
In this context, 'prone position' refers to lying flat on one's stomach.
Individuals with certain genetic predispositions are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases later in life.
People with certain genes are more likely to get autoimmune diseases.
'More prone to' emphasizes an increased likelihood based on biological factors.
His analytical mind, while brilliant, was also prone to overthinking, often leading to analysis paralysis.
His mind, though brilliant, tended to overthink.
'Prone to' here describes a characteristic tendency or habit.
The ancient manuscripts, stored in less than ideal conditions, were extremely prone to deterioration.
The old documents were very likely to decay.
'Prone to' indicates vulnerability to degradation.
After the grueling marathon, many runners were found lying prone on the grass, utterly exhausted.
Many runners were lying face down on the grass.
'Lying prone' describes the physical state of resting on one's front.
Such complex systems are inherently prone to bugs and glitches, requiring extensive testing and debugging protocols.
These complex systems naturally tend to have bugs.
'Inherently prone to' suggests a fundamental susceptibility due to the nature of the system.
近义词
自我测试 60 个问题
He is ___ to make mistakes when he is tired.
The word 'prone' means likely to suffer from or do something. In this sentence, it means he is likely to make mistakes.
The cat likes to lie ___ in the sun.
In this sentence, 'prone' describes the physical position of lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.
She is ___ to allergies in the spring.
Here, 'prone' means she is likely to suffer from allergies.
After the long run, he was ___ on the ground.
This sentence uses 'prone' to describe the physical position of lying flat on the ground.
Some plants are ___ to disease.
Here, 'prone' means some plants are likely to suffer from disease.
The baby fell and was ___ on the floor.
This sentence uses 'prone' to describe the baby lying flat on the floor after falling.
He is ___ to making mistakes when he is tired.
The word 'prone' means likely to suffer from or do something negative. In this sentence, it means he is likely to make mistakes.
The dog was lying ___ on the floor, enjoying the sun.
In this context, 'prone' describes the physical position of lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.
Children are often ___ to catching colds in winter.
Here, 'prone' means that children are likely to catch colds during the winter season.
After the long run, he lay ___ on the grass to rest.
This sentence uses 'prone' to describe the physical act of lying face down to rest.
Some plants are ___ to disease if they don't get enough sunlight.
'Prone' in this sentence means the plants are likely to get sick without enough sunlight.
The cat likes to sleep ___ on my bed, taking up all the space.
The cat is lying flat on its belly, which is described by the word 'prone'.
Think about what happens when someone is tired.
Consider the cat's position.
What happens if you don't drink enough water?
Read this aloud:
Some people are prone to allergies in the spring.
Focus: prone, allergies, spring
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
He often sleeps prone, with his face in the pillow.
Focus: often, sleeps, prone, pillow
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
I'm prone to forgetting my keys if I'm in a hurry.
Focus: prone, forgetting, hurry
你说的：
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Imagine you are prone to getting headaches. Describe a typical day when you have a headache and what you do to feel better.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I'm quite prone to getting headaches, especially after a long day of work. When it happens, I usually feel a throbbing pain behind my eyes. I try to lie down in a dark, quiet room and take some pain medication. Sometimes, a cool compress on my forehead helps a lot. It can be really disruptive to my day, making it hard to concentrate.
You are a journalist reporting on an accident. The victim was found prone on the ground. Describe the scene.
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Sample answer
Emergency services arrived at the scene of the accident to find a person lying prone on the cold pavement. Their belongings were scattered nearby, suggesting a sudden fall. Paramedics immediately began assessing the injured individual, who appeared to be unconscious. The scene was chaotic, with onlookers gathered, concerned for the victim's well-being.
Discuss some common problems or mistakes that people are prone to making when learning a new skill.
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Sample answer
When learning a new skill, people are often prone to making several common mistakes. For example, they might try to rush the process, leading to frustration and poor technique. Another common error is giving up too quickly when facing challenges, rather than persevering through difficulties. Sometimes, learners are also prone to comparing themselves negatively to more experienced individuals, which can be demotivating.
According to the passage, what can be a result of being prone to worrying?
Read this passage:
Some people are naturally prone to worrying, which can affect their overall well-being. They might spend a lot of time thinking about potential problems, even small ones. This tendency to worry can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety, making it difficult to relax and enjoy life. Finding ways to manage these worries, such as practicing mindfulness or talking to a friend, can be very beneficial.
According to the passage, what can be a result of being prone to worrying?
The passage explicitly states that 'This tendency to worry can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety.'
The passage explicitly states that 'This tendency to worry can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety.'
What was the initial position of the statue when it was discovered?
Read this passage:
During the archaeological excavation, the team discovered an ancient statue lying prone in the dirt. Its face was partially obscured, but the intricate carvings on its back suggested it was an important religious artifact. Carefully, the archaeologists began the process of cleaning and preserving the delicate piece, hoping to learn more about its history and the civilization that created it.
What was the initial position of the statue when it was discovered?
The passage states that the statue was 'lying prone in the dirt,' and the definition of prone given in the prompt includes 'lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.'
The passage states that the statue was 'lying prone in the dirt,' and the definition of prone given in the prompt includes 'lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.'
Why are children particularly prone to catching colds?
Read this passage:
Children are often prone to catching colds, especially during the winter months when they are in close contact with each other at school. Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to common viruses. Encouraging good hygiene practices, like frequent handwashing, can help reduce the frequency of these illnesses.
Why are children particularly prone to catching colds?
The passage directly states, 'Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to common viruses.'
The passage directly states, 'Their immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to common viruses.'
This sentence structure correctly states that someone is frequently having accidents.
This correctly describes someone lying face down.
This sentence indicates that the system frequently makes mistakes.
Which of the following best describes someone who is 'prone' to accidents?
The word 'prone' in this context means 'likely to suffer from or experience something regrettable or negative.' Therefore, someone prone to accidents is likely to experience them.
A person lying 'prone' would be positioned:
One of the definitions of 'prone' is 'lying flat with the front of the body facing downward.'
If a plant is described as 'prone to disease,' what does that mean?
Being 'prone to disease' means the plant is likely to suffer from or experience diseases.
Someone who is 'prone to procrastination' usually finishes tasks well in advance.
Being 'prone to procrastination' means one is likely to delay or put off tasks, not finish them in advance.
A swimmer who is floating 'prone' on the water would have their face submerged.
If a swimmer is floating 'prone', they are lying face down, which would mean their face is submerged in the water.
If a country is 'prone to natural disasters,' it experiences them frequently.
To be 'prone to natural disasters' means the country is likely to suffer from or experience them, implying they occur frequently.
Listen for what the bridge is susceptible to.
Listen for a characteristic trait of the person mentioned.
Listen for a negative tendency of the software.
Read this aloud:
Can you elaborate on why some people are more prone to certain allergies than others?
Focus: prone
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Discuss a situation where being 'prone' to a particular habit, whether good or bad, significantly impacted an outcome.
Focus: prone
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Describe a scenario where someone might be found in a 'prone' position and what it could signify.
Focus: prone
你说的：
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This sentence uses 'prone' in its common idiomatic sense, meaning 'likely to' or 'having a tendency to'. The sentence structure is a straightforward subject-verb-complement.
This sentence uses 'prone to' to describe a susceptibility to a negative event. The structure is typical for expressing a likelihood of something happening.
This sentence uses 'prone' to describe a physical position, specifically lying face down. The prepositional phrase 'in the prone position' is a common way to express this.
The speaker is discussing potential issues with a project.
The sentence describes the vulnerability of an old document.
The sentence describes someone's physical position after an incident.
Read this aloud:
The financial markets are particularly prone to volatility during periods of global uncertainty, making investments inherently risky.
Focus: prone to volatility
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Her artistic temperament made her prone to dramatic emotional fluctuations, which paradoxically fueled her creative genius.
Focus: prone to dramatic
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
The injured hiker was found lying prone beside the trail, his twisted ankle a stark testament to the treacherous terrain.
Focus: lying prone beside
你说的：
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Compose a paragraph discussing the psychological phenomenon of confirmation bias, incorporating the word 'prone' to describe how individuals are susceptible to selectively interpreting information.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Confirmation bias is a pervasive cognitive distortion that renders individuals prone to seeking, interpreting, and recalling information in a way that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. This inherent human tendency means that rather than objectively evaluating all available data, people are often unconsciously inclined to give more weight to evidence that supports what they already think, while downplaying or outright rejecting contradictory information. Consequently, this can solidify erroneous convictions and impede rational decision-making, demonstrating how easily one can be prone to reinforcing their own biases.
Write a descriptive sentence using 'prone' in its physical sense, detailing a scene where a character is in a vulnerable or observational position.
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Sample answer
With his binoculars pressed firmly against his eyes, the ornithologist lay prone on the damp forest floor, his body perfectly still as he patiently observed the rare nocturnal owl, a position that both offered him concealment and made him feel utterly at one with the earth.
Formulate a complex sentence exploring a societal issue where a particular demographic or system is 'prone' to a specific negative outcome, suggesting a nuanced cause.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
In rapidly developing urban areas, infrastructure that is not meticulously planned and regularly maintained is often prone to significant strain during extreme weather events, leading to cascading failures that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities rather than individual failings.
According to the passage, what is a key reason certain populations are 'prone' to chronic illnesses?
Read this passage:
Despite the advancements in modern medicine, certain populations remain disproportionately prone to developing chronic illnesses due to a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental factors. This inherent susceptibility necessitates a multifaceted approach to public health, moving beyond curative interventions to embrace preventative strategies and address the root causes of vulnerability. Understanding why certain groups are more prone to these conditions is paramount for achieving equitable health outcomes.
According to the passage, what is a key reason certain populations are 'prone' to chronic illnesses?
The passage explicitly states that 'certain populations remain disproportionately prone to developing chronic illnesses due to a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental factors,' which directly aligns with option C.
The passage explicitly states that 'certain populations remain disproportionately prone to developing chronic illnesses due to a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental factors,' which directly aligns with option C.
What does the passage suggest is a characteristic of nascent international agreements?
Read this passage:
In the realm of international diplomacy, nascent agreements are often prone to instability and renegotiation, particularly when geopolitical landscapes shift unexpectedly. The fragility of these initial accords stems from inherent uncertainties about future power dynamics and the potential for new alliances to form, which can render prior commitments obsolete. Therefore, successful diplomatic efforts require not only foresight but also a robust capacity for adaptation.
What does the passage suggest is a characteristic of nascent international agreements?
The passage states, 'nascent agreements are often prone to instability and renegotiation' and mentions that 'successful diplomatic efforts require not only foresight but also a robust capacity for adaptation,' indicating that instability and adaptation are key characteristics.
The passage states, 'nascent agreements are often prone to instability and renegotiation' and mentions that 'successful diplomatic efforts require not only foresight but also a robust capacity for adaptation,' indicating that instability and adaptation are key characteristics.
In the context of a reconnaissance mission, why might a soldier choose to lie 'prone'?
Read this passage:
During reconnaissance missions, soldiers are trained to adopt a low-profile, often lying prone in dense undergrowth to avoid detection. This tactical position offers both camouflage and a stable firing platform, yet it also exposes them to the elements for extended periods. The ability to remain still and focused while prone for hours on end is a crucial skill, demanding exceptional discipline and physical endurance.
In the context of a reconnaissance mission, why might a soldier choose to lie 'prone'?
The passage states, 'soldiers are trained to adopt a low-profile, often lying prone in dense undergrowth to avoid detection. This tactical position offers both camouflage and a stable firing platform,' which supports option C.
The passage states, 'soldiers are trained to adopt a low-profile, often lying prone in dense undergrowth to avoid detection. This tactical position offers both camouflage and a stable firing platform,' which supports option C.
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例句
This is an example with prone.
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abate
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abcarndom
C1有意偏离固定的顺序或既定模式，转而采用随机或非线性的方法，常用于技术分析。
abcenthood
C1The state, condition, or period of being absent, particularly in a role where one's presence is expected or required. It often refers to a prolonged or systemic lack of participation in a social, parental, or professional capacity.
abcitless
C1指的是事物缺少了最关键的部分，导致计划或想法无法正常进行。
abcognacy
C1The state of being unaware or lacking knowledge about a specific subject, situation, or fact. It describes a condition of non-recognition or a gap in cognitive awareness, often used in technical or specialized academic contexts.
abdocion
C1形容背离中心轴的运动、力量或逻辑过程。常用于技术语境，描述肢体或物体向外偏离。
abdocly
C1Abdocly 形容那些被隐藏、嵌入或处于凹处，不容易被直接观察到的事物。
aberration
B2A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. It refers to a temporary change or a deviation from the standard path or rule.
abfacible
C1To systematically strip or remove the external surface or facade of a structure or material for analysis, restoration, or cleaning. It specifically refers to the technical act of uncovering underlying layers while preserving the integrity of the core material.
abfactency
C1指与事实或客观现实完全脱节的状态。通常用于描述那些逻辑自洽但与现实毫无关联的理论或论点。
