incline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a surface that slopes or bends upwards. For example: "The path along the mountain had an incline, making it difficult for us to climb."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has a gradual decline before a gradual incline, and the porters need to make use of the first to manage the latter.

The Guardian

In short, the public incline narrowly towards favouring plans for Thatcher's funeral.

The Guardian - Opinion

Derwin Panda (Gold Panda) Chase and Status No More Idols "I loved their first album, so they are clearly on a steady incline.

The Guardian - Music

Soft synonyms ease consciences and incline us to consider things less problematic, making us feel better and unfairly shunting matters to the bottom of the priority pile.

The Guardian - Opinion

Edward Pearce Thormanby, North Yorkshire I incline to Groucho Marx's view of the crowds at the funeral.

The Guardian

The age groups start to become markedly smaller only about the age of 40, so the incline starts much further up the chart than with the pyramid.

The Economist

It's what Japan, an ageing, indebted nation, so badly needs.Two chief reasons incline me towards the "no-party" depiction.

The Economist

As for his political opinions, if anything, they incline me to root even harder for Mr Ovechkin and his team.

The Economist

I am going to put my head on the block and say that Mr Hatoyama will be gone before the summer is out.That is the first reason for leading me to incline towards the no-party state thesis.

The Economist

But the same values also incline them, in contrast to, say, white evangelicals, to communitarian economic policies usually considered liberal (by the American definition of that word).

The Economist

Abuse and counterabuse Culture creep Difficult delivery Juggling Europe's stars ReprintsMr Fico's government seems to incline to the first view.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical landscapes or structures, use "incline" to precisely convey the presence of a slope or gradient. This is particularly useful in technical descriptions, geographical analyses, or architectural plans.

Common error

Be mindful of the direction implied by each word. "Incline" signifies an upward slope or tendency, while "decline" indicates a downward movement or decrease. Using them interchangeably can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incline" is to act as a verb, expressing a tendency or disposition towards something. It can also function as a noun, referring to a slope. As Ludwig AI reports, the word is valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incline" is a versatile word that can function as both a verb and a noun, effectively conveying the concepts of slope, tendency, or preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is valid and correct. The analysis of its usage patterns reveals its common presence in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral register suitable for varied contexts. Remember to differentiate "incline" from "decline" to prevent errors. By understanding these nuances, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "incline" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slope upwards

Focuses specifically on the upward direction of a slope, emphasizing the physical gradient.

slant upward

Similar to slope upwards, but with a slightly different nuance in describing the angle.

tend towards

Highlights the directional tendency of something, shifting the emphasis from physical slope to inclination.

point upwards

Focuses solely on the directional aspect, indicating an upward orientation.

lean in

Implies a physical or metaphorical leaning, suggesting a direction or preference.

be predisposed to

Emphasizes a pre-existing tendency or likelihood towards something.

gravitate to

Suggests a natural attraction or movement towards a specific direction or state.

be apt to

Indicates a natural or habitual tendency to do something.

have a propensity for

Highlights a strong natural inclination or tendency.

show a bias toward

Suggests a preference or prejudice in a particular direction.

FAQs

How can I use "incline" in a sentence?

You can use "incline" to describe a slope, as in, "The road had a steep incline". Alternatively, you can use it to describe a tendency, as in, "I "tend to" agree with that statement depending on the context".

What's the difference between "incline" and "slope"?

"Incline" can be used as a verb or a noun, referring to a bend or tendency. "Slope" is primarily a noun that references the angle of inclination or a verb that denotes a gradient. When considering using "incline", it can sometimes be substituted with a phrase like "gradient" if context allows for it.

Which is correct, "incline to believe" or "inclined to believe"?

"Inclined to believe" is more common and grammatically standard when expressing a tendency or disposition. However, "incline to believe" can be correct in some contexts, although less frequently used.

What can I say instead of "incline"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""tend to"", "slope", "lean towards", or "be predisposed to depending on the context".