human tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

"human tendency" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a general inclination or predisposition that is common among humans. Example: It is a human tendency to fear the unknown.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is a natural human tendency to seek after meaning.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trial lawyers push this human tendency to a higher level.

The New Yorker

Chalk it up to human tendency to truncate language.

The New York Times

The human tendency to pun is carved in stone.

The New York Times - Books

Auto enrollment uses the human tendency toward procrastination, inertia or avoidance to the employee's advantage.

The New York Times

The general human tendency to misremember details would have been exacerbated.

The Guardian - Books

"The human tendency is to look at people who got more and feel jealous," he said.

The New York Times

According to Augustine, the refusal of God is a universal human tendency.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a natural human tendency to align extraordinary events with familiar narratives.

The Guardian - Opinion

The effect may be due in part to the human tendency to equate appearance with character.

The New Yorker

He chalked it up to a human tendency to romanticize nature and resist change.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing broad societal trends or behaviors, use "human tendency" to denote inclinations common across diverse populations.

Common error

Avoid attributing specific behaviors to "human tendency" without sufficient evidence. Ensure claims are supported by data or research to prevent stereotyping.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "human tendency" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a general inclination or predisposition common among humans, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "human tendency" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a general inclination or predisposition shared among humans, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news media, science, and formal writing to discuss patterns of behavior and common attributes. Alternatives like "human inclination" or "human propensity" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure you avoid overgeneralizations and provide evidence to support claims about specific behaviors. Remember to choose alternative expressions depending on the nuance to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human inclination

Replaces "tendency" with "inclination", suggesting a leaning towards something.

human propensity

Substitutes "tendency" with "propensity", indicating a natural inclination or predisposition.

natural human behavior

Emphasizes that the tendency is a form of "behavior" that is natural to humans.

general human characteristic

Replaces "tendency" with "characteristic", highlighting it as a typical attribute.

common human trait

Uses "trait" instead of "tendency", focusing on an inherent quality or feature.

universal human attribute

Highlights that the tendency is a universal feature of humanity.

typical human pattern

Replaces "tendency" with "pattern", focusing on a recurring way of acting.

inherent human nature

Focuses on the fundamental nature of humans and how it influences tendencies.

basic human instinct

Emphasizes the instinctual aspect of the tendency.

human predisposition

Similar to propensity, but highlights that it's a pre-existing state.

FAQs

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

You can use "human tendency" to describe a common behavior or inclination among people. For example, "The "human tendency" to seek patterns can lead to misinterpretations of random events."

What's a good alternative to "human tendency"?

Alternatives to "human tendency" include "human inclination", "human propensity", or "natural human behavior", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "human tendency" or "human behavior"?

"Human behavior" is a broader term encompassing all actions, while "human tendency" refers to a specific inclination or predisposition. "Human tendency" implies a predictable pattern, whereas "human behavior" may describe any action.

How does "human tendency" differ from "personal preference"?

"Human tendency" describes a widespread inclination across many people, while "personal preference" indicates an individual's specific choice or liking. "The "human tendency" to follow the crowd differs from personal preference." /s/personal+preference.