a tendency towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tendency towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a tendency to lean in one direction or prefer one thing over another, for example: The data trended towards a significant increase in consumer prices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A tendency towards the cheesy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hales may have a tendency towards understatement.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, our president has a tendency towards unfortunate, sweeping rhetoric.

The Guardian

A tendency towards softness unifies all aspects of the exhibition.

The New York Times

They also have a tendency towards insomnia and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She admits she had a tendency towards bleakness when in Britain, and that has gone now.

The Guardian

We have undoubtedly seen a tendency towards overvaluation on the stock market and in property.

The Guardian - Opinion

Built into the discipline, too, is a tendency towards hyberbole and towards exaggerating the new.

The Guardian

"He does have a tendency towards truthfulness that must drive his boss wild.

The Guardian - Business

The problem with so much nature writing is a tendency towards preciousness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nujoma has mimicked Mugabe in several ways, including a tendency towards rabid homophobic statements.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tendency towards", ensure the sentence clearly specifies what the tendency is directed at. For example, "The data shows a tendency towards increased customer satisfaction."

Common error

Avoid using "a tendency towards" without a clear object or direction. For example, instead of saying "There's a tendency towards", specify what it is: "There's a tendency towards simplification of the process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tendency towards" functions as a prepositional phrase. It typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a direction, inclination, or leaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tendency towards" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to denote an inclination, leaning, or direction. With a neutral register, it finds frequent application across science, news, and formal communication. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correctness, highlighting its function in specifying likelihood or predictable patterns. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial—always ensure that the object of the tendency is clearly defined. Related phrases such as "an inclination toward" and "a leaning towards" can offer stylistic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inclination toward

Uses "inclination" instead of "tendency", suggesting a leaning or preference, with "toward" being a synonym for "towards".

a proclivity for

Replaces "tendency" with "proclivity", indicating a natural or habitual inclination or liking, and "for" specifies what the inclination is directed at.

a leaning towards

Substitutes "tendency" with "leaning", implying a directional bias or preference.

a predisposition to

Emphasizes a pre-existing inclination or vulnerability, using "predisposition" to highlight a susceptibility.

a propensity to

Replaces "tendency" with "propensity", suggesting a natural inclination or habit of behaving in a particular way.

a bias toward

Indicates a prejudice or inclination in favor of something, using "bias" to highlight a subjective preference.

an affinity for

Suggests a natural liking or attraction, replacing "tendency" with "affinity" to convey a sense of connection.

a natural inclination for

Replaces "tendency" with "natural inclination", emphasizing that the tendency is inherent or innate.

a susceptibility to

Highlights a vulnerability or likelihood of being affected by something, using "susceptibility" to focus on potential negative impacts.

a habit of

Indicates a customary or regular way of behaving, replacing "tendency" with "habit" to emphasize routine.

FAQs

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

Use "a tendency towards" to indicate a direction, inclination, or leaning in behavior or data. For example, "The patient displayed "a tendency towards" isolation after the incident."

What are some alternatives to "a tendency towards"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an inclination toward", "a leaning towards", or "a predisposition to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "toward" or "towards" with "a tendency"?

"Toward" and "towards" are both acceptable, but "towards" is more common in British English. Using ""a tendency towards"" or "a tendency toward" depends on regional preference and style guidelines.

What's the difference between "a tendency towards" and "a trend towards"?

"A tendency towards" indicates an inclination or predisposition, whereas "a trend towards" suggests a pattern of change or development. While similar, "trend" often implies observed data over time.