a great tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great tendency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong inclination or likelihood towards a particular behavior or trend. Example: "There is a great tendency among young people to prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The stream has had a great tendency to flood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Otherwise it'll have a great tendency to simply go into one phase or the other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, the size measurements indicated that particles had a great tendency to agglomerate.

Journal of Cleaner Production

An oxygen atom, in contrast, has a great tendency to accept an electron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A hydrogen atom has a great tendency to transfer an electron to an acceptor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There's a great tendency to get more discouraged than the situation warrants," Mr. Shachnow said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Scores range from approximately -11 to 10, with higher scores depicting a greater tendency to disclose.

The Washington Post

"Fear of attack fosters a greater tendency to pre-emptively blame others".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hg concentrations were also low but showed a greater tendency to concentrate in fish tissue.

Environmental Pollution

In Mg60Ti10Si30, heat treatment increases corrosion, which is explained through a greater tendency for pitting corrosion.

Electrochimica Acta

Biology also has a greater tendency to create progress-hindering controversy.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great tendency", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is inclined towards. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of inclination. While "a great tendency" implies a strong likelihood, ensure it accurately reflects the situation and isn't used when a weaker inclination is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great tendency" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a prominent inclination or likelihood towards a particular outcome or behavior. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is correct and usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great tendency" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that signifies a strong inclination or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in writing. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, demonstrating its versatility across various domains. While alternatives like ""a strong inclination"" or ""a marked propensity"" exist, "a great tendency" provides a clear and effective way to communicate a notable trend or predictable pattern. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the subject's inclination to avoid ambiguity. Avoid overstating the degree of inclination to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong inclination

Replaces "tendency" with "inclination", suggesting a leaning or disposition towards something.

a marked propensity

Uses "propensity" to emphasize a natural inclination or preference.

a significant disposition

Substitutes "tendency" with "disposition", highlighting an inherent quality or nature.

a notable likelihood

Focuses on the probability of something occurring, replacing "tendency" with "likelihood".

a considerable leaning

Emphasizes a directional bias or preference, using "leaning" instead of "tendency".

a pronounced vulnerability

Highlights a susceptibility or weakness toward something, shifting the focus to potential negative outcomes.

a substantial habit

Indicates a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior, replacing "tendency" with "habit".

a powerful drift

Suggests a gradual movement or shift in a particular direction, using "drift" in place of "tendency".

a major trend

Highlights a general direction or course of events, focusing on broader patterns rather than individual inclinations.

a clear predisposition

Emphasizes an inherent or innate inclination, using "predisposition" to suggest a pre-existing tendency.

FAQs

How can I use "a great tendency" in a sentence?

You can use "a great tendency" to describe a strong inclination or likelihood. For example: "There is "a great tendency" for the river to flood during heavy rains."

What are some alternatives to "a great tendency"?

Alternatives include "a strong inclination", "a marked propensity", or "a notable likelihood", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "a great tendency" or "a greater tendency"?

"A great tendency" implies a strong general inclination. "A greater tendency" is used for comparisons, indicating a stronger inclination relative to something else. For instance, "There is "a great tendency" for people to seek information online" vs. "There is "a greater tendency" to use online resources than library resources."

What's the difference between "a great tendency" and "a strong tendency"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Great" emphasizes the magnitude of the tendency, while "strong" emphasizes its intensity or force. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.