Direct Answer
Predispose sb to sth means to make someone more likely to develop a condition, habit, or behavior. It is often used to talk about risks or tendencies.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Predispose sb to sth (predispose somebody to something)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2-C1
- Short meaning: To make someone likely to be affected by something
Meaning in Detail
The Predispose sb to sth meaning is about increasing the chance that someone will experience or develop something, especially a health problem or a behavior. For example, if a person’s family has a history of diabetes, they may be predisposed to diabetes themselves. It shows a tendency or vulnerability, not a certainty.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb predispose sb to sth is always transitive, meaning it needs an object (someone). It is followed by “to” plus a noun or noun phrase.
- Subject + predispose + somebody + to + something
- Example: Genetics predispose children to certain diseases.
This phrasal verb is inseparable. You cannot put the object between “predispose” and “to.”
Examples
Here are some natural Predispose sb to sth in a sentence examples:
- Smoking can predispose people to lung cancer.
- Stress may predispose you to heart problems.
- His family history predisposes him to high blood pressure.
- Lack of sleep predisposes students to poor concentration.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: This habit predisposes to the illness him.
- Correct: This habit predisposes him to the illness.
- Incorrect: Predispose people lung cancer.
- Correct: Predispose people to lung cancer.
Remember: Always include the object (sb) and the preposition “to” before the condition or thing.
Differences / Synonyms
Predispose is similar to make someone prone to or put someone at risk of. However, predispose is more formal and often used in medical or scientific contexts.
- Make someone prone to: More general, informal, and can refer to behaviors.
- Put someone at risk of: Focuses on danger or harm but less about natural tendency.
Common Collocations
- Predispose sb to disease
- Predispose sb to illness
- Predispose sb to infection
- Predispose sb to behavior
- Predispose sb to problems
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of predispose sb to sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard you have a family history of diabetes. Does that mean you will get it?
John: Not necessarily, but it does predispose me to diabetes, so I have to be careful with my diet.
Anna: That makes sense. So, you are more likely to develop it, right?
John: Exactly.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form:
Genetic factors often _______ people _______ certain diseases.
- a) predispose / to
- b) predispose / for
- c) predispose / with
Answer: a) predispose / to
FAQ
Q1: What does predispose sb to sth mean?
It means to make someone more likely to develop a condition or behavior.
Q2: Is predispose sb to sth separable?
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb.
Q3: Can I say “predispose sb for sth”?
No, the correct preposition is always “to.”
Q4: Is “predispose” used only for health?
No, it can also refer to behaviors or tendencies.
Q5: Can I use “predispose” in informal speech?
It is more common in formal or scientific contexts but can be used in everyday language.