Prone vs Supine
What’s the difference between them?
Prone
Meaning:
Liable or likely to suffer from, do, or experience something, especially something unwelcome; disposed or inclined.
Examples:
1. The toddler was prone to temper tantrums.
2. I am prone to procrastination.
3. Sheep are prone to infection by parasites.
Supine
Meaning:
Lying face up, with the back and legs flat on the ground; reclining.
Examples:
1. After the accident, he was found lying supine on the ground.
2. Lying in the sun, her body assumed a supine position.
3. Stretching her arms above her head, she luxuriated in the supine position.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Prone
1. Liable
2. Inclined
3. Susceptible
4. Disposed
5. Predisposed
1. Upright
2. Erect
3. Balanced
4. Immobilized
5. Not vulnerable/immune
Supine
1. Prostrate
2. Recumbent
3. Lying down
4. Reclining
5. Spread-eagled
1. Upright
2. Active
3. Alert
4. Vertical
5. Wide Awake
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Prone", "Supine".
1. The main distinction between 'prone' and 'supine' is the direction in which the subject is facing. Prone means facing downwards, while supine means facing upwards.
2. Think of the prefixes 'pro-' and 'sup-' to help remember the difference. 'Pro-' means 'forward' and 'sup-' means 'backwards.'
3. Prone is the position when you face down and moan.
4. Supine means you recline and take on a fine wine.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'prone' is often used to describe a person or thing that is likely or liable to suffer from something, especially something unwelcome. For example, a person might be prone to making mistakes, or someone with a certain health condition might be prone to having frequent headaches.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'supine' is used to describe someone or something that is lying face up, with the back and legs flat on the ground in a reclining position. For example, a person in yoga might be in a supine position, or someone taking a nap might be lying in a supine position.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Prone' is pronounced as 'prahn' and 'supine' is pronounced as 'soo-pahyn'.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these words is confusing the two. People often use 'prone' when they mean 'supine' or vice versAdditionally, people sometimes use 'prone' to describe a person or thing that is lying on the ground when they should be using 'supine'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She was found in a ________ position, lying on her back in the middle of the street.
2. The disease is ________ to certain populations in certain regions.
3. The political candidate was ________ to criticism due to his unpopular opinions.
4. The patient was in a ________ state after the surgery, and the doctor was concerned about his recovery.
5. The student was ________ to failure, considering the difficulty of the assignment.
6. The coach knew his team was ________ to lose, as they were facing the reigning champions.
1. She was found in a Supine position, lying on her back in the middle of the street.
Explanation: Supine is an adjective describing a position in which a person is lying on their back, with their face up.
2. The disease is Prone to certain populations in certain regions.
Explanation: Prone is an adjective describing a tendency to be easily affected by something, in this case a disease.
3. The political candidate was Prone to criticism due to his unpopular opinions.
Explanation: Prone is an adjective describing a tendency to be easily affected by something, in this case criticism due to his unpopular opinions.
4. The patient was in a Prone state after the surgery, and the doctor was concerned about his recovery.
Explanation: Prone is an adjective describing a tendency to be easily affected by something, in this case the side effects of a surgery and the potential for a difficult recovery.
5. The student was Prone to failure, considering the difficulty of the assignment.
Explanation: Prone is an adjective describing a tendency to be easily affected by something, in this case failure considering the difficulty of the assignment.
6. The coach knew his team was Prone to lose, as they were facing the reigning champions.
Explanation: Prone is an adjective describing a tendency to be easily affected by something, in this case a loss as they were facing the reigning champions.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.