a good inclination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good inclination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a positive tendency or preference towards something, often in a moral or ethical context. Example: "She has a good inclination towards helping others, which makes her a great volunteer."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You may find you sigh during the process - that's a good inclination that you are getting it all out of your mind.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The duality of his nature was explained by the existence of a good and bad impulse, personified by two angels, yetzer ha-ṭov (the good inclination) and yetzer ha-raʿ (the evil inclination), which enter each man after birth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As he put it, "If the love of doing good be not of itself a good and right inclination, I know not how there can possibly be such a thing as goodness or virtue" (C 46).

SEP

And a conscious choice is precisely what is required for a (good) action to be considered moral, a good instinct or good inclinations may make us good, may even be desirable, but by itself this is not enough to make us moral.

SEP

As his photographs of lone stones, abandoned structures and smashed trees show – there's a good selection here – his inclination isn't to animate the inanimate.

Independent

As a result of this clinical approach, in our study, upper incisors were retroclined by 2.87° and retracted by 2.23 mm with a good control of their buccolingual inclination with respect to the palatal plane.

Progress in Orthodontics

But you might be more successful with a video if the QR Code is on a cause product that people can scan after they get home and have the time and inclination for a good cry.

Huffington Post

The performers, including some who would become crossover stars Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker, and Dave Chappelle were often upstaged by the audience members, who had no evident inclination to take a good joke sitting down.

The New Yorker

The surfaces with the horizontal placement and small angle of inclination could give a good yield in solar energy collection.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

The surfaces with horizontal placement and small angle of inclination could give a good yield in solar energy collection.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

But even if my mom had had the inclination to be a good creative cook, she probably wouldn't have had either the time or the resources.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's character, use "a good inclination" to denote a natural tendency towards positive behavior or moral choices.

Common error

Avoid overstating the certainty of future actions based solely on "a good inclination". It indicates a tendency, not a guarantee. Qualify your statements to reflect this nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good inclination" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a positive predisposition or tendency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good inclination" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a positive tendency or predisposition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, from formal discussions of morality to everyday descriptions of character. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests a tendency rather than a certainty, and consider alternatives like "positive predisposition" or "favorable tendency" for nuanced expression. Steer clear of assuming that a good inclination guarantees positive outcomes, and recognize that it describes a tendency or potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive predisposition

Replaces "inclination" with "predisposition", emphasizing a built-in tendency.

a favorable tendency

Substitutes "inclination" with "tendency", highlighting a direction or leaning.

a natural aptitude

Replaces "inclination" with "aptitude", focusing on an inherent ability or talent.

a strong leaning

Replaces "inclination" with "leaning", emphasizing a direction or bias.

a propensity for good

Replaces "inclination" with "propensity", suggesting a natural tendency towards positive actions.

a bent toward virtue

Replaces "inclination" with "bent", emphasizing a particular talent or direction toward moral excellence.

a favorable disposition

Substitutes "inclination" with "disposition", highlighting a state of mind or temperament.

an inherent desire for good

Focuses on the internal motivation, replacing "inclination" with a more explicit expression of desire.

a penchant for beneficence

Replaces "inclination" with "penchant", suggesting a strong liking or tendency towards doing good.

a proclivity for righteousness

Replaces "inclination" with "proclivity", highlighting a natural or habitual inclination towards moral correctness.

FAQs

How can I use "a good inclination" in a sentence?

Use "a good inclination" to describe someone's positive tendency or preference towards something. For example: "She has a good inclination towards helping others, which makes her a great volunteer."

What's a similar phrase to "a good inclination"?

Alternatives include "positive predisposition", "favorable tendency", or "natural aptitude", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a good inclination" in formal writing?

Yes, "a good inclination" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing moral or ethical considerations. The level of formality depends on the surrounding text.

What is the difference between "a good inclination" and "good intention"?

"A good inclination" refers to a tendency or predisposition towards good, while "good intention" refers to a specific purpose or aim. While related, "a good intention" focuses on the plan, and "a good inclination" focuses on the underlying character trait.