a tendency to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tendency to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's habitual behavior or inclination towards a certain characteristic or action. Example: "She has a tendency to be overly critical of her own work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Humanity has a tendency to be terrible.

The New York Times

Play has a tendency to be beautiful - Johann Huizinga.

Cornell University

Pronouncements on the topic have a tendency to be overblown.

The New York Times

So is a tendency to be charmed by dark sides.

The New Yorker

Women have a tendency to be interested in designers".

The New York Times

And he has a tendency to be right.

The New York Times

I think humanity has a tendency to be terrible.

The New York Times

We have a tendency to be more suspicious than welcoming".

The New York Times

Because at this university and so many other universities, we have a tendency to be siloed.

Cornell University

They have shown a tendency to be lenient with their peers.

The Guardian - Business

A common stereotype is that men have a tendency to be bolder than women.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tendency to be" when describing a general likelihood or habitual behavior, but consider stronger verbs or adjectives for more impactful writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a tendency to be" to mask weak or passive constructions. Replace with active verbs for clearer and more direct sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tendency to be" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, describing a characteristic inclination or likelihood. It's used to express that something is likely to occur or that someone is inclined towards a certain behavior, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tendency to be" is a versatile phrase used to express inclinations or likelihoods, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts, it helps convey predictive elements based on observed patterns. While effective, writers should be mindful of avoiding passive constructions and consider simpler, more direct alternatives when appropriate. The prevalence and varied applications make it a key component of descriptive and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inclination to be

Replaces "tendency" with "inclination", emphasizing a natural disposition.

a proclivity to be

Uses "proclivity" instead of "tendency", suggesting a stronger inclination.

a disposition to be

Replaces "tendency" with "disposition", focusing on inherent qualities.

prone to be

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the meaning of being likely to experience something.

apt to be

Uses "apt" to indicate a natural or habitual inclination.

likely to be

Simplifies the phrase to express probability.

inclined to be

Uses "inclined" as an adjective to convey a predisposition.

habitually

Focuses on something being done as a habit.

with a bent to be

Employs "bent" to highlight a specific direction or inclination.

with a leaning to be

Uses "leaning" to suggest a slight preference or tendency.

FAQs

How can I use "a tendency to be" in a sentence?

Use "a tendency to be" to describe a general inclination or likelihood. For example, "He has "a tendency to be" late for meetings."

What are some alternatives to "a tendency to be"?

You can use alternatives like "likely to be", "prone to be", or "inclined to be" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "a tendency to be", or can I use a simpler construction?

In many cases, a simpler construction using a direct verb or adjective can be more effective. For example, instead of "He has "a tendency to be" disorganized", you could say "He is disorganized."

How does "a tendency to be" differ from "a propensity to be"?

"A propensity to be" suggests a stronger, more inherent inclination than "a tendency to be". While both describe inclinations, "propensity" implies a deeper-seated predisposition.