italki – Difference between “Inclined” and “Prone” I’m learning Eng and saw two words “inclined” and “prone”.

Hey, how are you? I hope you are doing just fine!

I shall provide you an explanation over the difference between these expressions:

1) ”Inclined to…” = it means ”tending or disposed toward (something)”
E.g.: ”I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
E.g.: ”She is inclined to believe in you.”
E.g.: ”I should think that he is not inclined to work today.”

2) ”prone to…” = this expression is used to indicate that someone is likely to [do] something; apt to have something. When you say that you are prone to something, it means that you have a natural tendency toward something.
E.g.: ”My boss is prone to anger when my work isn’t done on schedule.”
E.g.: ”My sister is prone to sneezing because of her allergies.”
E.g.: ”He is prone to illness.”

***NOTICE: Both ”prone to…” and ”inclined to” have pretty much the same meaning. Slight though it may be, the difference still exists. So, you should know that ”inclined to” is more commonly said by native speakers rather than ”prone to”, and that ”inclined to” conveys the idea of an action or decision made by the person , for example: ”I’m inclined to accept the truth” or ”She is inclined to go home.”

Hope that helps!!!