a propensity that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a propensity that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tendency or inclination towards a particular behavior or characteristic. Example: "She has a propensity that often leads her to take on more responsibilities than she can handle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They have also identified a propensity that doesn't rely on Islamist extremism.

The Washington Post

Mr. Azoff is also known for bending the truth when it suits his purposes or those of his clients, a propensity that long ago earned him the nickname Swerving Irving.

The New York Times

Hedge fund managers have long complained that investors are too quick to pull their money in rocky times, a propensity that exacerbated many funds' problems during the financial crisis.

The New York Times

So the apparent stimulus of the glass staircase [correction: skywalk], the apparent stimulus of the kitty litter cake, you have a propensity, that's either innate, as in the case of the glass, or the fudge shaped like feces, or a habitual propensity, as when you arrange the kitchen.

Yale University

Genealogy Treatise 1. Nietzsche's notion of 'ressentiment' seems to be a propensity that begins life as envy and takes on moral content only with the creation of the moral ideals to which it gives rise.

SEP

Richard Bernstein argues that Kant cannot coherently hold both of these theses since we could not be responsible for a propensity that is in us originally and that we cannot be rid of (Bernstein 2002, 11 35).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Studies in the USA have similarly noted that non-white races are more susceptible to food allergy, particularly Asian populations (Sicherer et al. 2010), suggesting a genetic propensity that may be amplified in a western environment.

Clinical Epigenetics

The reed ecotype had a mating propensity that was equally high in both the male biased and the female biased experimental treatment (Fig. 3), indicating that reed isopods are fairly canalised in terms of how mating behaviour responds to adult sex ratio.

Plosone

Aib was selected for the rational induction of the R-like helical conformation of the B1 B8 segment, as the amino acid with a high helical propensity that often facilitates folding into the right- or left-handed α-helices.

Biochemistry

It should be noted that the predictions from the H-predictor server are not a measure of the protein's propensity for domain-swapping, but rather a structural propensity that a hinge region may result in domain swapping and also provide hint to the weakest regions that unfold prior to the compete unfolding of protein.

Plosone

Indeed, when analyzing the propensity of the different attractors to undergo attractor transitions (see Methods) we found that the attractors corresponding to the flower cell-types show a lower propensity that the Inflorescence attractors (see below).

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a propensity that" when you want to describe a natural inclination or tendency towards something, often observed over time.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "propensity" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "tendency" or "habit" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a propensity that" functions as a descriptor, indicating a tendency, inclination, or natural leaning towards something. Examples from Ludwig show it describing inherent qualities or likelihoods. It is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a propensity that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a natural inclination or tendency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and although its frequency is classified as uncommon, it appears predominantly in science, news media, and academic contexts. While versatile, it leans towards formality, making it well-suited for scholarly and analytical writing. Remember to consider context and opt for simpler alternatives like "tendency" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tendency that

Replaces "propensity" with "tendency", offering a slightly less formal synonym.

an inclination that

Substitutes "propensity" with "inclination", suggesting a natural leaning.

a disposition that

Replaces "propensity" with "disposition", implying an inherent quality or character.

a proclivity that

Uses "proclivity" instead of "propensity", indicating a strong inclination or liking.

a likelihood that

Shifts the focus to probability rather than inherent tendency.

a proneness to

Changes the structure to highlight susceptibility or vulnerability.

a liability that

Emphasizes the potential for something negative to occur.

a susceptibility that

Highlights vulnerability or openness to influence.

a readiness that

Indicates a state of being prepared or willing.

a weakness that

Focuses on a specific fault or area of vulnerability.

FAQs

How can I use "a propensity that" in a sentence?

You can use "a propensity that" to describe a tendency or inclination. For example, "He has "a propensity that" often leads him to take on more responsibilities than he can handle".

What's the difference between "a propensity that" and "a tendency that"?

While similar, "propensity" often implies a stronger, more inherent inclination than "tendency". "Tendency" might suggest something more situational or learned, whereas "propensity" leans towards a natural disposition.

What can I say instead of "a propensity that"?

You can use alternatives like "an inclination that", "a disposition that", or "a likelihood that" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a propensity that" in academic writing?

While "a propensity that" is grammatically correct and acceptable, it's crucial to ensure that its level of formality aligns with the specific conventions of your field and the overall tone of your paper. In some instances, simpler terms might be more fitting.