a tendency to develop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tendency to develop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a natural inclination or propensity for something to grow or evolve over time. Example: "The research indicates that children have a tendency to develop social skills through play."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tendency to develop skin tags may run in families.

Harvard University

Experts suspect that certain people inherit a tendency to develop varicose veins.

The New York Times - Health

Arguably, a tendency to develop new systems has not yet led to more agile working.

The Guardian

And many characteristics are strongly inherited — height, weight, a tendency to develop early onset heart disease or to get diabetes.

The New York Times - Health

There are also findings of an association between a tendency to develop low blood glucose and aggression.

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

However, growing B-cells have a tendency to develop mutations that maintain BCL6; the end result is that B-cells grow out of control and transform into lymphomas.

Cornell University

Dr. Vinters said Lenin might have inherited a tendency to develop extremely high cholesterol, causing the severe blockage of his blood vessels that led to his stroke.

The New York Times - Health

First presented in the medical literature in 1896 by a French pediatrician, Antoine Marfan, the syndrome is characterized by a tall and slender build, eye problems and a tendency to develop aneurysms of the aorta at a young age.

The New York Times - Magazine

It quickly became apparent that individuals who had "anti-phospholipid antibodies" suffered from a tendency not only to develop brain and spinal cord symptoms, but also a tendency to develop both vein and artery thrombosis.

Stanford University

"Also, pay attention to any new scabs or wounds that don't heal in a week or two". Your primary care doctor or a dermatologist can be part of the equation too, especially if you have a tendency to develop moles.

Harvard University

Factors that raise the risk of skin cancer are light skin, a family history of melanoma, a tendency to develop moles or abnormally-appearing moles, and previous bad sunburns.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tendency to develop" when describing a natural or inherent inclination for something to progress or evolve over time. For example, "Children have "a tendency to develop" social skills through interaction."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "a tendency to develop" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise and specific language may be preferred. Consider alternatives like "a propensity for" or "an inclination toward" for heightened clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tendency to develop" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes a natural inclination or propensity for something to evolve or emerge. It is used to identify a recurring pattern or susceptibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tendency to develop" is a versatile phrase employed to describe a natural inclination or likelihood for something to progress or evolve. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including scientific, news, and academic domains. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider context-specific alternatives for enhanced precision. The frequency of this phrase is very common and it holds a neutral register, ensuring its appropriateness in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a propensity to develop

Emphasizes a natural inclination or inherent predisposition.

an inclination to develop

Highlights a leaning or preference towards development.

a predisposition to develop

Stresses a pre-existing susceptibility or vulnerability.

a susceptibility to develop

Focuses on vulnerability or openness to development.

a likelihood to develop

Indicates the probability or chance of development.

a proneness to develop

Highlights a vulnerability or inclination toward development, often implying a negative outcome.

a habit of developing

Implies a recurring pattern or established behavior.

a pattern of development

Focuses on an established sequence or trend of development.

a trend of developing

Emphasizes a general direction or course of development.

a liability to develop

Indicates a vulnerability or exposure that may lead to development.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tendency to develop" to describe a natural inclination or propensity for something to grow or evolve. For example: "Certain breeds of dogs have a tendency to develop hip dysplasia".

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

Alternatives include "a propensity to develop", "an inclination to develop", or "a predisposition to develop", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a tendency to develop" and "a predisposition to develop"?

"A tendency to develop" suggests a general likelihood, while "a predisposition to develop" implies a pre-existing susceptibility or vulnerability.

When is it appropriate to use "a tendency to develop" in writing?

It's appropriate when describing a natural or expected progression or evolution. It can be used in scientific, news, and general contexts to explain likely outcomes or patterns.