predispose
C1Formal, academic, medical
Definition
Meaning
To make someone or something more likely to have or develop a particular condition, attitude, or behaviour.
To incline someone beforehand in favour of or against a person, thing, or course of action; to create a susceptibility.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to describe inherent or early-influenced susceptibility (genetic, environmental, psychological) that increases probability. Implies an existing latent tendency, not a guarantee.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in medical/clinical contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK medical journals due to historical epidemiology literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] predisposes [Object] to [Noun/Verb-ing][Subject] predisposes to [Noun]be predisposed to [Noun/Verb-ing]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A loaded deck predisposes the game.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market volatility may predispose investors to seek safer assets.
Academic
Certain alleles predispose the organism to heightened inflammatory responses.
Everyday
His family history predisposes him to being cautious about heart health.
Technical
The fault geometry predisposes the rock mass to toppling failure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Poor diet and lack of exercise can predispose one to type 2 diabetes.
- The council's prior decisions predisposed them to favour the new development.
American English
- His genetics predispose him to high cholesterol.
- The treaty's wording predisposes it to multiple interpretations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Smoking can predispose people to lung problems.
- Her cheerful nature predisposed me to like her immediately.
- Certain genetic markers are known to predispose individuals to this form of arthritis.
- The president's earlier comments predisposed the public against the proposed policy.
- The sedimentary structure of the cliff face predisposes it to frequent rockfalls.
- A history of childhood trauma can predispose a person to developing anxiety disorders in adulthood.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PRE-DIS-POSE: Think of arranging (POSING) things BEFOREHAND (PRE) in a certain way that DISposes you towards an outcome.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATH/INCLINATION (setting on a slope towards an outcome), PROGRAMMING (pre-installing code for a specific response).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from предрасполагать in all contexts; English 'predispose' is less common in daily speech. Do not confuse with 'predetermine' (предопределять), which implies certainty, not just increased likelihood.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'predispose' without 'to' (e.g., 'It predisposes heart disease' - INCORRECT). Confusing 'predisposed' (adjective) with 'predisposing' (present participle). Overusing in informal contexts where 'make more likely' is better.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'predispose' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable, but 'to' is more common, especially before a noun or gerund ('predisposed to illness', 'predisposed to accepting'). 'Towards' is slightly less formal and often used before an abstract noun ('predisposed towards kindness').
'Cause' implies a direct, definite relationship (A causes B). 'Predispose' implies increasing the likelihood or creating a susceptibility, but other factors are usually needed for the outcome to occur (A predisposes to B).
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'She is genetically predisposed to be tall.' It describes the state of having an increased likelihood.
It is more common in written, academic, medical, or formal contexts. In everyday spoken English, phrases like 'make more likely' or 'run in the family' are often used instead.