With a proclivity for

USAGE SUMMARY

"With a proclivity for" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone's natural inclination or tendency towards something. Example: "She approached her work with a proclivity for creativity." Alternative expressions include "with a tendency for" and "with an inclination towards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He is, at his core, a pragmatist — one with a proclivity for publicity.

The New York Times

The policy questions are: Will a White House with a proclivity for adversarial responses support his diplomatic approach?

The New York Times

AdCC grows slowly, but spreads relentlessly into adjacent tissues, with a proclivity for invading nerve and endothelial sheaths.

Oral Science International

He is secure that he, a landscape doctor with a proclivity for transforming negative urban spaces into positive ones, is the man to refine Mr. Arad's design.

The New York Times

Human coronaviruses, said Dr. Mark R. Denison, an expert at Vanderbilt University, are like the mild-mannered next-door neighbor with a proclivity for doing the unexpected.

The New York Times

The game, illegal but tolerated, is played by nearly one-third of a population that marries deeply held superstitions with a proclivity for fun.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

They brought with them a proclivity for burying their rulers in all things gold: lavish jewelry, weaponry, garments with gold accessories and appliqués.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Levin, who is a spokesman for the Rabbinical Alliance of America, an association of socially conservative rabbis, shares with Mr. Paladino a proclivity for inflammatory public statements, particularly about homosexuality.

The New York Times

In social terms, since man hung the first ham out, you've had your bright young things -- please don't call them rookies -- loaded with pizazz and a proclivity for the spotlight.

The New York Times - Magazine

Naked mole-rats have a very unusual lifestyle in that they combine a fully subterranean existence with extreme sociality and a proclivity for living in colonies with many (hundreds) individuals [31], [30].

Plosone

While it may seem more apt to vend pregnancy tests in Vegas than Mankato, a college town in southern Minnesota, Mr. Crowe says the classy pub is a fitting location because the women at highest risk of drinking during pregnancy are professionals with disposable incomes and a proclivity for wine at dinner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a proclivity for" to describe a recurring inclination or tendency, particularly when the subject demonstrates a natural or inherent leaning towards something. For instance, "She approached her work with a proclivity for creativity."

Common error

While "with a proclivity for" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing. It can sound overly elaborate if used too frequently. Instead, consider simpler alternatives such as "inclined to" or "tends to" for more concise and direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a proclivity for" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a natural inclination or tendency. Ludwig shows it's often used to describe someone's characteristic behavior or a tendency of a thing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a proclivity for" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe a natural inclination or tendency towards something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, and to a lesser extent, in scientific and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, consider simpler alternatives like "inclined to" or "tends to" in less formal settings or where conciseness is key. Remember to reserve "with a proclivity for" to make your writings rich of descriptions that are not platitudes and of high informative value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a tendency for

Uses a more common word, "tendency", making it slightly less formal.

predisposed to

Suggests a stronger, possibly inherent, inclination.

apt to

Implies a natural or habitual tendency.

has a penchant for

Implies a strong liking or fondness, often for something specific.

inclined towards

Focuses on the direction of inclination; less about inherent tendency.

given to

Suggests a habitual action or behavior.

has an affinity for

Emphasizes a natural liking or attraction.

disposed to

Implies a readiness or willingness, slightly altering the nuance.

naturally drawn to

Highlights the instinctive nature of the attraction.

prone to

Indicates a susceptibility to something, often negative.

FAQs

How can I use "with a proclivity for" in a sentence?

You can use "with a proclivity for" to describe someone's natural inclination or tendency towards something. For example: "He is a pragmatist with a proclivity for publicity."

What's a simpler way to say "with a proclivity for"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "inclined towards", "has a tendency for", or "apt to" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "with a proclivity for" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate, but be mindful of overusing it. In some cases, more concise alternatives might be preferable for clarity. Consider options like "disposed to" or "predisposed to".

What's the difference between "with a proclivity for" and "prone to"?

"With a proclivity for" suggests a general inclination, while "prone to" often implies a susceptibility to something negative or undesirable. For example, one might have "a proclivity for problem-solving" but be "prone to making mistakes when rushed".