Dictionary of English - liable, apt, likely, and prone

Liable is often used when there is reason to think that something will probably happen in the future, whether or not there is a general tendency for it to do so: It's liable to rain this afternoon (because the weather forecast says so and there are black clouds in the sky); he's liable to lose his temper when he sees what the kids have done (he does not have much patience with the children, and this particular piece of mischief will probably make him angry).

Likely is also used for things which will probably happen. It can refer to good or bad things, whereas liable usually refers to bad: It's likely to be fine this afternoon; No, it's liable to rain.

Liable and prone are used before a noun to refer to something unwelcome which has a tendency to happen: The system is liable to error; He's prone to fits of temper. Some people prefer to use prone only when referring to a tendency to ill-health: He's prone to migraines. However, its use in other contexts is well established, and there is no reason to restrict its use.

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