bias

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bias' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a pre-existing, usually negative, opinion someone has about a particular group of people, an idea, or thing. For example, "Monica had a bias against anyone who was different from her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Southwood upheld the inquiry's findings that Lawrie acted unfairly and with bias over the former Labor government's offer of a 10-year rent-free lease of the historic Stella Maris site in Darwin to Unions NT.

The Guardian

But with the current licence fee settlement due to come under review in the next parliament, the broadcaster has come under fire from Conservatives who accuse it of a liberal bias.

The Guardian

If age, gender and class correlate with this bias, then smart weighting might fix it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The polls were always likely to be subject to bias, and now we have learnt that this bias proved all-important More concrete still, what if the sort of person who only ever thinks about politics once every five years, whose vote might turn on a hazy sense of which leader they most trust not to screw up the economy, is disinclined to join internet panels?

The Guardian - Opinion

Tony Hall has said that the BBC should be "bold and inventive about the future" in a note to all staff, which comes amid rightwing criticism of anti-Tory bias during the election and fears over the future of the licence fee.

The Guardian

Related: Daniele Watts: Django Unchained actor alleges racial bias after being held by LA police The couple were detained, though not arrested, by police last September after a complaint that they were having sex in their car, which was parked outside CBS studios in the Studio City area of Los Angeles.

The Guardian

"He continues to reject all claims of wrongdoing and we hold that the integrity of the court system was marred by the bias, slurs and factual inaccuracies in the election judgment".

The Guardian

"He is being dropped because of his perceived bias towards deregulation.

The Guardian - Business

The BBC's news chief James Harding has said politicians "from all parties" threatened the BBC's future funding over its election coverage, and poured scorn on allegations that it had a leftwing bias.

The Guardian

Hall said the BBC had to guard against "metropolitan bias".

The Guardian

It's enough to make you think that Dionte Green's case might follow the same path: young black man murdered without the protocol to investigate the terrible, complicated bias potentially behind the whole familiar crime, nothing changes, another black man dies tomorrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Acknowledge potential biases in your own reasoning and analysis to enhance credibility and show intellectual honesty.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all instances of "bias" are the same. Recognize that different biases have different causes and effects, and that applying a one-size-fits-all solution may be ineffective or even harmful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bias" is as a noun, referring to a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something. Ludwig AI confirms that it can also be used as a verb to describe influencing something with a bias. The examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bias" functions primarily as a noun to denote a tendency, inclination, or prejudice. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse contexts, notably in news, business, and scientific domains. Recognizing different types of "bias" is important for clear communication, and being aware of potential biases enhances objectivity. The related phrases, such as "prejudice" and "inclination", provide alternative ways to express similar concepts, allowing for nuanced expression. It is crucial to identify, acknowledge, and mitigate biases to promote fairness and accuracy in various aspects of life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prejudice

A preconceived judgment or opinion, often based on limited information or stereotypes, and resistant to rational argument.

partiality

Unfairly favoring one side or thing over others; showing bias.

inclination

A natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way, indicating a leaning toward something.

predisposition

A liability or tendency to suffer from, act in a particular way, or be of a certain temperament.

leaning

A tendency or preference; an inclination.

slant

A particular point of view or emphasis, often subtly biased.

one-sidedness

The quality of being unfairly biased in favor of one person or thing.

unfairness

Lack of justice or equity; bias.

distortion

The act of twisting or altering something out of its true, natural, or original condition; a bias.

skew

To distort or bias, especially in a way that is regarded as unfair or inaccurate.

FAQs

How to use "bias" in a sentence?

You can use "bias" to describe a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something. For example, "The study showed a clear bias in favor of the new treatment."

What can I say instead of "bias"?

You can use alternatives like "prejudice", "inclination", or "partiality" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bias" or "biased"?

"Bias" is a noun referring to a tendency or inclination, while "biased" is an adjective describing something that exhibits bias. For example, "The report showed bias" versus "The report was biased".

What's the difference between "bias" and "opinion"?

"Opinion" is a personal belief or judgment, while "bias" is a systematic distortion or leaning, often unconscious, that affects judgment. A bias can influence an opinion, making it less objective.