Why is "vulnerable" favored over "liable" in this sentence?

Question

Here is the question:Some researchers feel that certain people have nervous systems particularly _____ to hot, dry winds. They are what we call weather sensitive people.C. liableD. vulnerable What is the difference between the two words? Thank you in advance.

Zuotengdazuo · Accepted Answer

The key is D but I don't know why C is not correct.

Teechr · Answer

You'll notice from the question that "to" follows the blank. When "liable" is followed by "to" is needs a verb which we don't have here.

Have a look at the example sentences in meaning #2 of "liable" in the link below.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/liable

Zuotengdazuo · Answer

You'll notice from the question that "to" follows the blank. When "liable" is followed by "to" is needs a verb which we don't have here.

Have a look at the example sentences in meaning #2 of "liable" in the link below.

Thank you for your answer. But I don't think you get it right. What follows "liable to" doesn't have to be a verb. It can be a noun.
You can check it out in the link below.
http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/liable
I just want to know the difference between "liable to" and "vulnerable to".

CalifJim · Answer

zuotengdazuoliable to

likely to

Be careful around that tiger. He is liable to bite you. (There is a good chance that he will bite you if you get too close.)

zuotengdazuovulnerable to

having a weakness with regard to

When the tiger is very tired and has not eaten enough, he becomes vulnerable to diseases. (Lack of rest and proper food makes it easier for tigers to catch diseases because it weakens them.)

Try fraze.it. Look up sentences that use each of these words. Just reading examples can sometimes help you understand the meanings.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

These words seem to have a similar sense, but this is more a question of usage than grammar. This is a medical/biological-type of situation, and in such situations "vulnerable" would be used:

"People with weakened immune systems are vulnerable (not: liable) to this illness."

"Liable" is used more in legal-type situations:

"The court found him liable (not: vulnerable) for damages."

However, idiomatically, "liable" is sometimes used in medical situations:

"If you have this type of nervous system, you are liable (that is, you are likely) to get headaches in hot dry weather."

Zuotengdazuo · Answer

CalifJim: likely to

Be careful around that tiger. He is liable to bite you. (There is a good chance that he will bite you if you get too close.)

Thank you for your answer and the site you recommend, Jim. I see. But you only give an example of the usage of "liable to" which is followed by a verb. What if a noun is after it? How to differentiate between "liable to n." and "vulnerable to n."?
Thank you.

Zuotengdazuo · Answer

I have looked up many dictionaries before I write a post here. A name of disease can also follow "liable to" as a noun.

CalifJim · Answer

zuotengdazuoWhat if a noun is after it? How to differentiate between "liable to n." and "vulnerable to n."?

Here are some examples from dictionaries that may help:

If people or things are liable to something unpleasant, they are likely to experience it or do it.
She will grow into a woman particularly liable to depression.
Steroids are used to reduce the inflammation, which makes the muscles of the airways liable to constriction.

Likely to experience (something undesirable)
‘areas liable to flooding’

All of these might occur with "vulnerable" instead of "liable", so as you see, it is not always possible to say "Only liable is correct" or "Only vulnerable is correct". However, liable focuses on likelihood, and vulnerable focuses on being defenseless, so we have to look at the original question in that way.

Should we say that someone's nervous system is likely to experience hot, dry winds?
Or should we say that someone's nervous system can become defenseless against (or weakened by) hot, dry winds?

In the first case, we should choose liable. In the second case, we should choose vulnerable.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

zuotengdazuoI have looked up many dictionaries before I write a post here. A name of disease can also follow "liable to" as a noun.

Well yes, but "hot, dry winds" is not a disease, so that doesn't help us a lot in answering the original question.

CJ

Zuotengdazuo · Answer

CalifJimzuotengdazuoWhat if a noun is after it? How to differentiate between "liable to n." and "vulnerable to n."?Here are some examples from dictionaries that may help:If people or things are liable to something unpleasant, they are likely to experience it or do it.She will grow into a woman particularly liable to depression.Steroids are used to reduce the inflammation, which makes the muscles of the airways liable to constriction.Likely to experience (something undesirable)‘areas liable to floo

Thank you again. I think the second case makes more sense.
Can I understand the difference this way: what follows "liable to" is the outcome of something unpleasant that inflicts the subject, while "vulnerable to" is followed by the cause of a bad outcome. Right?

Why is "vulnerable" favored over "liable" in this sentence?

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