I am leaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am leaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a tendency or inclination towards a particular opinion, decision, or action. Example: "I am leaning towards accepting the job offer because it aligns with my career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I am leaning toward appendicitis.

The New Yorker

I know which way I am leaning.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am leaning toward" running, he acknowledged.

The New York Times

At present, I am leaning strongly toward the latter".

The New York Times - Science

Here I am leaning on excellent work by Danielle Thomsen.

The Washington Post

"Right now, I am leaning toward Bush," Ms. Leber said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I was leaning no.

The New York Times

I'm leaning towards electric.

The New York Times

I'm leaning in!

The Washington Post

"But I'm leaning against it".

The New York Times - Sports

But I was leaning toward that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am leaning" when you want to express a tentative preference or inclination without committing to a final decision.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents; opt for stronger, more decisive language to convey confidence in your recommendations or conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am leaning" functions as a statement of current inclination or tendency. It's a present continuous construction indicating a direction in thought or decision-making, but without a commitment to a final choice. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often followed by "toward(s)" to specify the object of inclination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am leaning" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a tentative inclination or preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and academic sources. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse, especially in more formal writing where stronger language may be more appropriate. Related phrases like "I am inclined" can provide suitable alternatives to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am inclined

Replaces "leaning" with a more formal synonym, "inclined", expressing a similar sense of preference.

I tend to think

Shifts the focus to the thought process, suggesting a natural tendency toward a certain viewpoint.

I am predisposed to

Emphasizes a pre-existing inclination or susceptibility.

I am gravitating toward

Uses a metaphor of gravitational pull to convey a sense of being drawn towards something.

I'm of the opinion that

Introduces a formal statement of personal belief or judgment.

My preference is for

Directly states a preference, making the inclination clear.

I am beginning to think

Suggests a developing inclination, indicating a shift in opinion.

I'm starting to believe

Similar to "beginning to think", but implies a stronger conviction.

I'm considering

Focuses on the act of considering, rather than a definite inclination.

I'm swaying toward

Uses a verb suggesting movement from one side to the other, showing a shift in opinion.

FAQs

What does "I am leaning" mean?

The phrase "I am leaning" means that you are tending toward a certain decision or opinion, but haven't fully committed to it yet. It indicates a provisional preference.

How to use "I am leaning" in a sentence?

You can use "I am leaning" followed by "toward(s)" and a noun phrase or a gerund. For example: "I am leaning towards accepting the offer" or "I am leaning toward the blue dress".

Which is correct, "I am leaning toward" or "I am leaning towards"?

Both "I am leaning toward" and "I am leaning towards" are correct and mean the same thing. The choice between them often comes down to regional preference (towards is more common in British English).

What can I say instead of "I am leaning"?

You can use alternatives like "I am inclined", "I tend to think", or "I am predisposed to depending on the context".