leaned more toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaned more toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing preferences, tendencies, or inclinations in a particular direction or toward a specific idea or choice. Example: "In the debate, she leaned more toward the side advocating for environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I assured him that I leaned more toward decadence.

The New York Times

Jackson's supporters leaned more toward Lady Macbeth's point of view.

The New Yorker

From early on Mr. Scott's career leaned more toward commerce than art.

The New York Times

My own response leaned more toward respect and admiration than sustained emotional engagement.

The New York Times

"Too Far to Care" leaned more toward the Clash than the Carter Family.

The New York Times - Arts

But since the mid-1970's North Korea leaned more toward China.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

I would lean more toward open space".

The New York Times

Seth Gallagher's clientele leans more toward the hobbyist.

The New York Times

Russians, according to health care workers, lean more toward vitamins.

The New York Times

His musical tastes lean more toward fellow Texans: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lyle Lovett and Willie Nelson.

The New York Times - Style

Huggins tends to lean more toward spending 75percentt on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaned more toward", ensure the context clearly indicates a comparison between two or more options or perspectives. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's overall impact.

Common error

Avoid using "leaned more toward" when the inclination is absolute or definitive. This phrase implies a relative preference, not a complete commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaned more toward" functions as a verb phrase that indicates a preference or inclination towards something, suggesting a directional bias without necessarily implying complete adoption. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "leaned more toward" effectively conveys a preference or inclination, finding frequent use in news articles, academic papers, and general discussions. Grammatically sound and versatile, it suits both formal and informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When writing, remember that this phrase is best used to describe a directional bias. As we've seen, this phrase helps writers and speakers express nuanced opinions across varied contexts, as such, similar phrases like "favored more strongly" can be used to inject more emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined further towards

Emphasizes a stronger pull or tendency in a particular direction.

favored more strongly

Highlights a preference with added emphasis on the degree of favoring.

gravitated more towards

Suggests a natural or inevitable movement towards something.

demonstrated a greater preference for

More formal and explicit in stating the preference.

showed a stronger tendency for

Focuses on the tendency or inclination rather than a conscious choice.

was more disposed to

Indicates a natural inclination or willingness.

had a greater bias toward

Highlights the presence of a bias or prejudice in the preference.

preferred to a greater extent

More verbose but clearly indicates a stronger preference.

felt more drawn to

Emphasizes an emotional or instinctive attraction.

adopted a greater affinity for

Implies a developing fondness or likeness.

FAQs

How can I use "leaned more toward" in a sentence?

Use "leaned more toward" to indicate a preference or inclination for one option over another. For example, "The committee leaned more toward the second proposal after careful review".

What's the difference between "leaned toward" and "leaned more toward"?

"Leaned toward" suggests a general inclination, while "leaned more toward" implies a stronger preference in comparison to other options.

What are some alternatives to "leaned more toward"?

You can use phrases like "favored", "preferred", or "was inclined to" as alternatives to "leaned more toward" depending on the context.

Is "leaned more toward" formal or informal?

"Leaned more toward" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase for various types of writing and conversation.