inclining towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"inclining towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is slowly becoming more likely to happen or less likely to be true. For example: "The polls are inclining towards a Labour victory in the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When the 10% who have not made up their minds were asked which way they were leaning, 36% said they were inclining towards Remain and 28% towards Leave.

The Guardian

Yet imperatives of both city planners and curators have been inclining towards urban convenience, and towards similar neighbours in easily accessible locations, which might well be convenient industrial brownfields or refurbished buildings, high streets, historic lakefronts, or active downtowns.

The Guardian

Labour is leaving its options open about backing a third runway at Heathrow, but sounded as if it was inclining towards backing the Davies report if his proposals met certain green standards.

The Guardian

The answer to the question was always going to be mixed, but with the balance, if one makes a fair assessment of where the country stood when Mandela was released, clearly inclining towards the conclusion that right now there is rather more to admire than to despise.

The Guardian - Opinion

By this time the idea of Pre-Raphaelitism has evolved through Aestheticism and into something else altogether, a kind of painting that has begun to shrug off the idea of particular subject matter, and is inclining towards Symbolism and even Surrealism.

Independent

While ALM has not confirmed whether the data dump is genuine, security researchers are inclining towards saying it looks genuine at this point.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I incline towards the latter.

The Guardian - Film

Most art historians were inclined towards lenience.

The Guardian - Books

I incline towards a more mundane account.

The Guardian

In public at least, Nina is inclined towards hope.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The guests – Whoopi Goldberg and Jimmy Page – are inclined towards looking back too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inclining towards" to describe a gradual shift in opinion, preference, or direction. It suggests a tendency rather than a definitive decision.

Common error

Be careful not to use "inclining towards" when a firm decision or conclusion has already been reached. This phrase indicates a direction or tendency, not a final state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inclining towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a tendency, direction, or preference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something slowly becoming more likely. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from political leanings to artistic styles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inclining towards" is a prepositional phrase that suggests a tendency, direction, or preference. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the phrase describes something slowly becoming more likely or preferred. Its usage is most common in News & Media and Scientific contexts. To ensure clarity, remember that "inclining towards" indicates a trend, not a final decision, and can be replaced by alternatives such as "leaning toward" or "tending toward" depending on the context. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of writing styles and purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tending toward

Focuses on the direction something is moving or developing.

leaning toward

Emphasizes a slight preference or bias.

moving toward

Highlights progression in a specific direction.

gravitating toward

Suggests a natural attraction or pull.

developing a preference for

Explicitly states the formation of a preference.

showing a tendency for

Highlights a demonstrable pattern of behavior or thought.

displaying a predisposition for

Implies an inherent inclination.

favoring

Simple and direct indication of preference.

developing an affinity for

Suggests a growing sense of connection or liking.

bending toward

Implies influence that changes someone's mind.

FAQs

How can I use "inclining towards" in a sentence?

You can use "inclining towards" to describe a tendency or preference. For example, "The data is inclining towards a positive correlation".

What are some alternatives to "inclining towards"?

Some alternatives include "leaning toward", "tending toward", or "moving toward". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "inclining towards" formal or informal?

"Inclining towards" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in news, academic, and general writing.

What's the difference between "inclining towards" and "inclined to"?

"Inclining towards" suggests a gradual movement or tendency, while "inclined to" implies a predisposition or willingness. For example, "He is inclining towards accepting the offer" (considering it) vs. "He is inclined to accept the offer" (willing to accept it).