Susceptible to means easily affected by something: you catch colds easily, a surface scratches easily, a person is easily influenced. Children are more susceptible to infections means they pick them up more often. The word is neutral to formal and fits an article, a report or an essay.
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be susceptible to + influence/damage; particularly/more susceptible to
- The thin coating is susceptible to scratches.
- People can be susceptible to persuasive advertising when they are tired.
- These old recordings are particularly susceptible to damage from heat.
What changed
First versionThe material is susceptible for moisture damage.
RevisionThe material is susceptible to moisture damage.
For feels like a safe all-purpose preposition, and nothing in the meaning points to anything else. But susceptible has a fixed partner, to, just like vulnerable to. For was swapped for to.
Sensitive to means reacting strongly: sensitive to light means light hurts your eyes, sensitive to criticism means criticism upsets you. Susceptible to means easily hit by something: susceptible to infection means you catch it easily. Prone to means likely to have something happen: prone to accidents.
Your turn
The soft surface is susceptible ___ scratches.
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to — Susceptible links to the source of harm through to: susceptible to scratches. For isn't used with this adjective.
Describe something in your home that is easily damaged by water, heat or sunlight. Use susceptible to.
The paper labels are susceptible to water damage, so we keep the boxes away from the sink.
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