a penchant for

USAGE SUMMARY

"a penchant for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a strong liking or preference for something. For example, "He has a penchant for spicy food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A penchant for sadomasochism.

The New York Times - Books

Curiously, a penchant for overalls.

The New York Times

"He has a penchant for lifting clubs.

Independent

Urmanov also had a penchant for gloves.

The New York Times - Sports

She has a penchant for war videos.

The New Yorker

Mr. Oppenheim had a penchant for grandiosity.

The New York Times - Arts

Iranians have a penchant for polite ambiguity.

Independent

#5: A penchant for conflict.

Harvard Business Review

Like a penchant for bingo, for example.

The Guardian

Lucidity coupled with a penchant for exaggeration.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She soon demonstrated a penchant for political hardball.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a penchant for", ensure the object of the preposition 'for' is clearly defined. Avoid ambiguity by specifying exactly what the subject has a preference for.

Common error

Avoid using "a penchant for" to describe a mild preference. "Penchant" implies a strong liking or inclination, so ensure the context aligns with this intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a penchant for" functions as a noun phrase that indicates a strong liking, inclination, or preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to describe someone's affinity towards something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a penchant for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that denotes a strong liking or preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing a notable inclination towards something. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register. To ensure effective communication, always clearly define what the subject has a preference for and avoid using it for mild preferences. Alternatives like "a fondness for" or "a proclivity for" can offer slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fondness for

Focuses on affection or liking, implying a gentle preference.

a proclivity for

Indicates a natural inclination or tendency towards something.

a liking for

A straightforward expression of enjoying something.

a taste for

Suggests a refined or cultivated enjoyment.

an inclination towards

Highlights a leaning or bias in a particular direction.

a predilection for

Implies a strong preference, often without a clear reason.

a preference for

A general term indicating a choice or favorite.

a bent for

Suggests a natural skill or talent, alongside a liking.

an affinity for

Highlights a natural connection or attraction.

a weakness for

Implies a susceptibility or irresistible attraction, often to something indulgent.

FAQs

How can I use "a penchant for" in a sentence?

You can use "a penchant for" to describe someone's strong liking or preference for something. For example, "She has "a penchant for" collecting vintage stamps".

What's a good synonym for "a penchant for"?

Alternatives include "a fondness for", "a proclivity for", or "a liking for", each carrying slightly different nuances of preference.

Is it correct to say "have a penchant to" instead of "a penchant for"?

No, the correct usage is "a penchant for". The phrase requires the preposition "for" followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing).

What's the difference between "a penchant for" and "a tendency to"?

"A penchant for" implies a liking or preference, while "a tendency to" suggests a habitual or recurring behavior. They aren't interchangeable; use "a penchant for" when describing a fondness, and "a tendency to" for describing a habitual action.