bias towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bias towards" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a preference or inclination for one option over another. Example: "The study showed a bias towards renewable energy sources." Alternative expressions include "preference for" and "inclination towards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ever since 1958, he has always written and published poems, with a strong bias towards entertainment.

The Guardian

"I don't believe this bias towards men is conscious.

The Guardian - Tech

The NHS has an internal bias towards providing services itself.

The Guardian

Not pro-Tory bias, but bias towards excitement.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not bias towards in or out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Much of this trade has a bias towards defence.

The Guardian

Nor did it mean a bias towards funding applied research.

Nature

It was fed up with London's bias towards London.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Do I think there is general bias towards the left?

Independent

The budget marginally reinforces a bias towards the former.

The Economist

There seems to be a bias towards balance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bias towards" when you want to highlight a systemic or psychological tilt that favors one side over another. It is particularly effective in scientific writing to describe data trends or in political analysis to discuss regional favoritism.

Common error

Avoid using "bias towards" when you actually mean the result of that bias. For instance, do not say a person has a 'bias towards winning' if they simply win often; instead, use it to describe the unfair advantage that might lead to that win, such as a 'bias towards established players'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bias towards" consists of the noun "bias" acting as a head word, followed by a prepositional phrase introduced by "towards". It serves as a complex noun phrase that specifies the target or direction of an inclination. In many instances provided by Ludwig, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence to identify non-neutrality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bias towards" is an exceptionally common and versatile expression used to describe a lack of neutrality. Analysis by Ludwig AI shows that it is a favorite among high-authority sources like The Guardian and The New York Times for discussing social issues, and is equally prevalent in scientific literature to describe data skews. It is most frequently used to identify systemic preferences, such as a "bias towards London" or a "bias towards action". While "towards" is the preferred British spelling, American writers often opt for "bias toward". Ultimately, it is a precise tool for any writer needing to explain that a person, system, or dataset is not operating on a level playing field.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preference for

Focuses more on a conscious choice or liking rather than an inherent or systemic tilt

inclination towards

Suggests a natural tendency or leaning, often used in psychological or behavioral contexts

partiality towards

Carries a stronger connotation of unfairness or lack of objectivity

predisposition towards

Implies a state of being susceptible or having a prior tendency before an event occurs

favoritism towards

Specifically refers to the unfair practice of giving better treatment to one person or group

propensity for

Often used to describe a natural tendency to behave in a particular way

lean towards

A more informal or action-oriented verbal phrase version of the same sentiment

orientation towards

Focuses on the direction or alignment of a policy, person, or organization

bent for

A more idiomatic or literary way to describe a natural talent or inclination

preclivity for

A formal term usually suggesting a tendency towards something undesirable

FAQs

What is the difference between "bias towards" and "bias against"?

While "bias towards" indicates a favorable inclination or preference, "bias against" indicates a prejudice or unfavorable stance.

Is it more correct to say "bias towards" or "bias toward"?

Both are correct. "bias towards" is standard in British English, whereas "bias toward" is the more common spelling in American English.

What can I say instead of "bias towards" in a formal report?

Depending on the nuance, you can use more clinical terms like "predisposition towards", "partiality towards", or "skew towards".

Does "bias towards" always mean something negative?

Not necessarily. While it often implies unfairness in news, in scientific contexts it may simply describe a statistical "inclination towards" a specific result or a technical preference in an algorithm.