sensitive to vs sensitive for

The phrases aren't interchangeable. 'Sensitive to' is the correct, commonly used phrase in English, indicating a reaction or response to something. On the other hand, 'sensitive for' isn't a standard English phrase and isn't used in this context.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 14, 2025 • 5874 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"sensitive to"

Use 'sensitive to' when describing a reaction or response to something that affects a person or thing.

Examples:

She is sensitive to criticism.
The skin is sensitive to sunlight.
Some people are sensitive to certain foods.
He is sensitive to changes in temperature.
The device is sensitive to touch.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm very sensitive to this situation, Julia.
And perhaps your brain is uniquely sensitive to these vibrations.
Being blind made my dad extra sensitive to unfairness in life.
I'm very sensitive to the energy in my surroundings.
He has a condition that makes him sensitive to sunlight.
Treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) associated with Moraxella bovis sensitive to tulathromycin.
The brain goes on alert in unfamiliar environments, sensitive to possible dangers.
I am very sensitive to what you're going through.
The vaccine strain is sensitive to penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides and lincomycin.
For the detection of arcs the detector shall be sensitive to the wavelengths of light emitted by copper materials.
But I'm very sensitive to all types of music.
The whole process is very sensitive to temperature and humidity.
But Uffe is sensitive to voices and sounds.
China has shown itself to be sensitive to international expectations.
It is sensitive to pH<6.0 and >8.0.
I'm sensitive to your experience.
Mr President, the Indonesian government appears to be sensitive to international criticism.
Pregnant women are sensitive to certain things.
Frank is very sensitive to noise.
Children are especially sensitive to its effects.

Alternatives:

reactive to
responsive to
affected by

This phrase is not a standard construction in English and is not used in this context.

"sensitive for"

Show examples from the web [+]

Your eyes will be sensitive for a while.
This is an issue which is extremely sensitive for many Member States.
You're very sensitive for a man in the business of killing.
You're sensitive for an ice queen.
The higher performance of ATM bears the potential to manage better adapted speed for saving kerosene consumption and allows to guide the planes on routes that are, according to weather forecast, less sensitive for the building of vapour contrails.
Some girls are too sensitive for this kind of work.
In addition there are requirements for statistics in sectors which are sensitive for the accession negotiations, supporting primary EU policies such as agriculture, transport, regional and environment.
She'll go down as too sensitive for this world, a wispy aesthete, a feeble lady writer.
Next, special treatment should be given to products which are sensitive for developing countries, particularly in the agricultural sphere.
In addition there are requirements for statistics in sectors which are sensitive for the accession negotiations, supporting primary EU policies such as agriculture, transport, regional and environment.
Virus isolation or molecular detection are likely to be the most sensitive for determining AI virus infections of pigs.
The PCR technique is rapid (the results are usually available within 24 hours), detects all genotypes of swine vesicular disease virus, and is sufficiently sensitive for use on samples collected from cases of suspect clinical disease.
What, because he's become too sensitive for you?
It poses a particularly serious problem in areas which are highly sensitive for the turtles, such as the Azores Autonomous Region economic exclusion zone, as has been proved by various international studies.
This assay is limited in that it is sensitive for interferon but lacks specificity for interferon beta.
By letter of 17 June 2005, the Italian authorities observed that the scope of the two initiating decisions touched on issues that were sensitive for national security.
The success or failure of the European Union's first external action in an area as sensitive for European society as immigration and asylum, depends on the success of these plans.
The agreement reached in the Conciliation Committee endorses the rapporteur's excellent work and consolidates the climate of cooperation established in this House on a matter which is so very sensitive for the European citizens.
The rapporteur reminds that the rearing of sheep and goats is particularly sensitive for the less-favoured areas of the Community: about 80% of all ewes and she-goats claimed for the current premium are in LFA regions.
The data and information requested by the Commission is highly sensitive for the economic operators and, therefore, the Commission must ensure the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with this data or information.

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sensitive to vs sensitive for

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