Showing a propensity for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Showing a propensity for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular behavior or characteristic. Example: "The student is showing a propensity for mathematics, excelling in every related assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Is someone streaming Michael Bublé lots in late December showing a propensity for crooners, or simply exhibiting the Christmas spirit?

The Guardian - Tech

Apart from a few studies showing a propensity for anorexic-like behavior, the available literature indicates that anorexia nervosa is rare among females in the Arab culture [ 8- 13, 19] 19].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Your honor, that would show a propensity for stealing golf clubs," Mr. Denvir replied.

The New York Times

He enrolled in 10th grade at Tully High School and showed a propensity for running.

The New York Times - Sports

Nevadans of recent years have shown a propensity for rewarding major candidates almost evenly.

The New York Times

The prosecutor added that Mr. Strauss-Kahn had "shown a propensity for impulsive criminal conduct".

The New York Times

Bowser and Catania have said they would vote for legalization, but neither has shown a propensity for direct conflict with federal law enforcement over drug laws.

The Washington Post

In his youth he showed a propensity for pleasure-seeking and excelled in physical activity rather than scholarship, although he was obviously a man of remarkable astuteness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some studies showed a propensity for greater muscular responses and perceptions of unpleasantness in response to pain-associated cues, relative to control cues.

The Journal of Pain

Children who show a propensity for extreme aggression at young ages often have low levels of a hormone produced by the body during times of fear or stress, researchers have found.

The New York Times - Health

From his school days, he showed a propensity for violence and his reputation as the ultimate hard man was established by his frequent assaults on prison guards and his destructive, widely headlined action of taking to the roof of Broadmoor.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "showing a propensity for" to describe a noticeable or developing tendency. It implies an observed behavior rather than a fixed characteristic.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "showing a propensity for" can sound formal. In casual contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "tends to" or "inclined to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "showing a propensity for" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a developing or noticeable inclination or tendency. It describes observed behaviour, as Ludwig highlights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "showing a propensity for" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe an observed inclination or tendency. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for a range of contexts. While generally appropriate, consider using simpler alternatives like "tends to" in more casual settings. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, confirming its acceptability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Demonstrating a tendency towards

Replaces "showing" with "demonstrating" and uses "towards" instead of "for", slightly more formal.

Exhibiting an inclination towards

Uses "exhibiting" and "inclination", making it sound more formal and observational.

Displaying a proclivity for

Replaces "propensity" with "proclivity", which is a synonym with a slightly stronger connotation.

Having a natural inclination for

Emphasizes the natural or inherent quality of the tendency.

Predisposed to

Suggests a pre-existing condition that makes someone likely to do something.

Inclined to

A shorter and more direct way to express a tendency.

Tending to

Simple and straightforward way of saying someone usually does something.

Showing an aptitude for

Highlights a natural talent or ability.

Leaning towards

Suggests a directional bias, that someone is moving in a certain direction.

Gives evidence of a bent for

More figurative and less common, suggesting a natural talent or preference.

FAQs

How can I use "Showing a propensity for" in a sentence?

You can use "Showing a propensity for" to describe someone's inclination or tendency toward something, like: "The student is showing a propensity for mathematics, excelling in every related assignment".

What phrases are similar to "Showing a propensity for"?

Alternatives include "demonstrating a tendency towards", "exhibiting an inclination towards", or simply "inclined to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "showing a propensity for" or "demonstrating a propensity for"?

Both "showing a propensity for" and "demonstrating a propensity for" are correct. "Demonstrating" is slightly more formal than "showing" but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "showing a propensity for" and "having a propensity for"?

"Showing a propensity for" indicates a tendency that is currently being observed, while "having a propensity for" suggests a more inherent or established characteristic.