leaning that way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaning that way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular opinion, decision, or direction. Example: "After considering all the options, I'm leaning that way when it comes to choosing the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Some are leaning that way because of salary-cap issues.

The New York Times - Sports

The Wrights, union members, normally vote Democratic, and are leaning that way now.

The New York Times

As it turns out, Mr. Kelley does not seem to be leaning that way, at least partly for pragmatic reasons.

The New York Times - Arts

"If I do decide to retire, which it looks like I'm leaning that way, my last pitch was a double play," he said.

The New York Times

By offering no clear alternatives to the scotched peace deal, Mr Abhisit may be leaning that way, urged on by royalist backers who see no need for a truce.

The Economist

Federer sounded as if he was leaning that way himself, even though he had labeled the shot last year against Djokovic "the greatest shot I ever hit in my life".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

I had leanings that way for a long time.

The New Yorker

The passageway ended at the back of the old graveyard, as before, and that seemed unchanged, the tombstones still leaning this way and that and even more thickly covered in moss.

Independent

As we approached the village, I noticed that the date palms were dead and decapitated, just forlorn wood spikes without leaves, leaning this way and that — the result, Lion told me, of shelling from Iran during the eighties.

The New Yorker

This leaves nearly half the electorate leaning this way or that but essentially still undecided".

Independent

The Washington Post said that there were five million votes that were leaning my way that got cold feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaning that way" to express a tentative preference or inclination, rather than a firm decision. It suggests a direction of thought or action that is not yet fully determined.

Common error

Avoid using "leaning that way" when you want to express a firm commitment or decision. It implies uncertainty, so choose stronger language if certainty is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaning that way" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a tendency or inclination toward a particular opinion, decision, or course of action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests a preliminary preference without a firm commitment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaning that way" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a tentative preference or inclination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a direction of thought or action without implying a firm decision. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's suitable for expressing uncertainty or a preliminary stance. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid using it when a definitive statement is required. Alternatives such as "inclined in that direction" or "favoring that option" can be used to refine the nuance. Overall, "leaning that way" is a valuable phrase for expressing a sense of tentative preference in various communicative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined in that direction

More formal phrasing for indicating a preference or tendency.

tending in that direction

Similar meaning, but focuses on the direction of movement or thought.

favoring that option

Highlights the preference for a specific choice.

partial to that idea

Indicates a fondness or liking for a particular idea.

predisposed to that

Suggests a pre-existing inclination or susceptibility.

swaying in that direction

Suggests a movement from one idea to another.

gravitating towards that

Suggests being attracted or drawn to something.

of that persuasion

Suggests an attraction to a particular movement or set of beliefs.

on the verge of that

Describes being close to a decision point.

thinking along those lines

Focuses on a similar thought process.

FAQs

How can I use "leaning that way" in a sentence?

You can use "leaning that way" to express a tentative preference or inclination, for example: "After considering both options, I'm "leaning that way"."

What's a similar phrase to "leaning that way"?

Alternatives include "inclined in that direction", "tending in that direction", or "favoring that option", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "leaning that way" or "decided"?

"Leaning that way" indicates a preference without a firm decision. "Decided" implies a final choice. The best option depends on the context and how definite you want to sound.

When is it inappropriate to use "leaning that way"?

It's inappropriate when you want to communicate a firm or irreversible decision. The phrase suggests an openness to other possibilities or a lack of complete certainty.