susceptible

 The word "susceptible" means likely to be influenced or affected by something, especially something bad. It's typically used with the preposition "to" and describes vulnerability or openness to a particular influence.

Here's a breakdown of how to use "susceptible" correctly:

1. Structure:

The most common structure is: subject + is/are + susceptible + to + noun/gerund

• Subject: The person, thing, or system that is vulnerable.
• is/are: The verb "to be" in the appropriate tense.
• susceptible: The adjective describing the vulnerability.
• to: The preposition indicating the target of the vulnerability.
• noun/gerund: The thing that the subject is vulnerable to. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun (e.g., "smoking," "persuasion").

2. Examples:

• People: "Children are more susceptible to colds." "Elderly people are often susceptible to infections." "He is susceptible to flattery."
• Things: "This type of metal is susceptible to rust." "The software is susceptible to hacking." "The argument is susceptible to criticism."
• Systems: "The economy is susceptible to fluctuations in the market." "The political system is susceptible to corruption."
• Abstract concepts: "Human nature is susceptible to temptation." "Our minds are susceptible to suggestion."

3. Using "Susceptible" with Different Tenses:

• Present: "She is susceptible to peer pressure."
• Past: "The castle was susceptible to attacks."
• Future: "The company will be susceptible to competition from overseas."

4. Synonyms:

Understanding synonyms can help you use "susceptible" more effectively. Some common synonyms include:

• Vulnerable
• Prone
• Liable
• Open to
• Receptive to (in some contexts)

5. Things to Remember:

• "Susceptible" usually has a negative connotation, implying vulnerability to something undesirable.
• It's almost always followed by the preposition "to."
• It can be used to describe physical, emotional, or abstract vulnerabilities.

Example using a gerund:

• "He was susceptible to being persuaded by smooth talkers." (Here, "being persuaded" is the gerund.)

By understanding these points, you can use "susceptible" accurately and confidently in your English writing and speaking.