a tendency that

USAGE SUMMARY

'a tendency that' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has a pattern of happening or occurring regularly. For example, "There is a tendency that people who live closer to the ocean have better mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's a tendency that has to be fought".

The New York Times - Arts

A tendency that has caused controversy in the past.

Independent

We tend to be overconfident in our judgments, a tendency that leads us to unrealistic expectations.

Harvard University

It's a tendency that brings to mind the old progressive song "If I Had a Hammer".

The New York Times

That was a tendency that apparently needed punishing out of me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gelfand has always been cautious, a tendency that has become pronounced as he has gotten older.

The New York Times

"This is a curious inversion of a tendency that decentered humanity since the renaissance.

The Guardian - Books

(It's a tendency that, as Evan Osnos has written, has gotten Biden in trouble before).

The New Yorker

He seems always to have done his best work before an audience, a tendency that made him an extraordinary correspondent.

The New Yorker

Bluffs and threats also increase in email, a tendency that can culminate in "flaming" – shooting off vitriolic messages without pausing to think about the consequences.

Harvard University

Third, we interpret events in a self-serving manner, a tendency that causes us to expect others to do more than we do to solve energy problems.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tendency that", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what is being inclined toward. For instance, "There is a tendency that people overeat when they are stressed" provides a clear connection.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a tendency that" implies causation. Just because there's a trend doesn't mean one factor directly causes another. For example, stating "There is a tendency that increased screen time causes depression" is misleading without further evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tendency that" functions as a connector within a sentence, introducing a clause that further explains or describes the nature of the tendency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tendency that" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for describing recurring patterns or inclinations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. The phrase functions as a connector, introducing a clause to further explain the tendency. When using this phrase, ensure the sentence clearly specifies the inclination and avoids implying causation without evidence. Consider using alternatives like "a trend that" or "a propensity that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The high frequency and authoritative sources indicate its reliability and usefulness in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a propensity that

Very similar, suggesting a natural inclination or tendency, almost interchangeable.

a trend that

Highlights a general direction or pattern, often in data or behavior, rather than a personal inclination.

a pattern that

Focuses on a recurring sequence or arrangement, rather than an inherent inclination.

a susceptibility that

Focuses more on vulnerability or proneness to something, rather than a general pattern.

a direction that

Emphasizes the course or path something is taking, shifting the focus from inherent inclination.

a momentum that

Suggests an increasing force or speed behind something, implying a build-up over time.

a fondness that

Implies an affection or liking, which is a specific type of inclination with an emotional component.

a temptation that

Highlights the allure or enticement associated with something, differing from a neutral pattern.

a orientation that

Refers to a specific direction or alignment, not necessarily a recurring pattern.

a willingness that

Highlights the readiness or eagerness to do something, rather than a simple inclination.

FAQs

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

Use "a tendency that" to describe a recurring behavior or pattern. For example, "There's "a tendency that" people check their phones frequently throughout the day".

What are some alternatives to "a tendency that"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "a trend that", "a pattern that", or "a propensity that".

Is it more appropriate to say "a tendency that" or "tendency for"?

While both can be correct, ""a tendency that"" often introduces a clause describing the tendency, whereas "tendency for" is followed by a noun or gerund. For instance, "a tendency that people procrastinate" vs. "a tendency for procrastination".

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

"A tendency that" suggests a general inclination or likelihood, while "a habit of" implies a more established, repeated behavior. For example, "a tendency that people arrive late" vs. "a habit of arriving late".