developed a propensity for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developed a propensity for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to have a natural inclination or tendency towards something. You can use it when discussing someone's behavior or habits. For example: - After attending several music festivals, she developed a propensity for loud, upbeat music. - Growing up in a big city, Sam developed a propensity for taking public transportation. - The young artist developed a propensity for using bright colors in her paintings. - Despite his initially shy nature, John eventually developed a propensity for public speaking. - Due to his family's history of heart disease, Mark developed a propensity for eating healthy and exercising regularly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If she had white boyfriends instead, would Robert say that she had developed a propensity for white men?

The New York Times - Magazine

He adds that while most Chinese gamers have developed an aversion to paying for downloads, they have also developed a propensity for showing off their wealth to friends online.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Mother," he said, "seemed to develop a propensity for black men".

The New York Times - Magazine

In addition, a significant group of people who have no evidence of coronary artery disease develop a propensity for ventricular arrhythmias.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Method: College students as well as safety professionals were used in a four phase investigation to develop a Propensity for Angry Driving Scale (PADS).

Journal of Safety Research

A logistic regression model was used to develop a propensity score for each patient for each dataset.

British Medical Journal

Because IVF procedures were not randomly assigned in this population, potential confounding and selection biases were accounted for by developing a propensity score for the IVF procedure.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A logistic regression model was used to develop a propensity score, which accounted for the probability of being switched from conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) to HFOV on the day of surgery.

Critical Care

Logistic regression was used to develop a propensity score quantifying the probability for each patient undergoing surgery since January 2007 to be switched to HFOV.

Critical Care

Do developing circuits acquire a propensity for exuberant connectivities, or do they try and maintain a homeostasis in their connections and therefore make compensatory changes in the number of synapses with their normal partners?

eLife

Because the patients were not randomly assigned to receive MTH or normothermia, potential confounding and selection biases were accounted for by developing a propensity score.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "developed a propensity for", ensure that the subject's inclination is genuinely new or recently acquired. This emphasizes the process of development rather than a lifelong trait.

Common error

Avoid using "developed a propensity for" to describe traits that are clearly innate or long-standing. This phrase suggests a learned or evolved inclination, not an inherent characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developed a propensity for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the emergence of a tendency or inclination. Ludwig AI identifies its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "developed a propensity for" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating the emergence of a tendency or inclination. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing acquired preferences, habits, or skills. While appropriate for various contexts, the phrase is particularly prevalent in scientific and news-related content. Remember to use it when referring to a newly acquired trait. Alternatives such as "acquired an inclination for" and ""cultivated a liking for"" can offer slight nuances in meaning. "Developed a propensity for" proves to be a valuable addition to your vocabulary, enhancing your ability to convey the evolution of personal characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed a tendency toward

This alternative replaces "propensity" with "tendency", providing a more general term for inclination.

acquired an inclination for

"Acquired" emphasizes the learned nature of the inclination, while "inclination" is a more neutral synonym for "propensity".

cultivated a liking for

"Cultivated" implies a deliberate development, and "liking" suggests a positive feeling toward the object.

fostered a predisposition for

"Fostered" suggests encouragement or nurturing of the inclination, and "predisposition" implies a pre-existing susceptibility.

formed a habit of

Shifts the focus from inherent tendency to an established behavior, suggesting something done repeatedly.

became accustomed to

Emphasizes the process of getting used to something, rather than an inherent inclination.

exhibited a bent for

"Exhibited" highlights the outward display of the inclination, and "bent" suggests a natural talent or aptitude.

evinced a flair for

"Evinced" emphasizes the demonstration of the tendency. "Flair" suggests a stylish or skillful approach.

manifested a talent for

"Manifested" emphasizes the outward appearance of the talent, "talent" suggests a natural ability.

showed an aptitude for

"Showed" denotes demonstration, whereas "aptitude" indicates an inherent capacity.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "developed a propensity for" something?

It means you've acquired a tendency or inclination towards it. The phrase suggests the tendency wasn't always there, but has grown over time.

What's a more formal way to say "developed a propensity for"?

Consider using "acquired an inclination for" or "fostered a predisposition for" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "developed a propensity to" instead of "developed a propensity for"?

While "propensity to" can be grammatically correct, "developed a propensity for" is generally preferred when referring to a specific object or activity. "Propensity to" is better suited for general tendencies.

What are some situations where I might use the phrase "developed a propensity for"?

You can use it when discussing how someone's tastes changed over time, how they've picked up a new habit, or how their skills have evolved. For example, "After many years, she "cultivated a liking for" jazz music."