leans towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"leans towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express a preference or inclination for something. For example: "I lean towards a more traditional approach to dealing with this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I consider Donald Trump a chauvinist, a misogynist who fosters and leans towards toward repression.

Huffington Post

Sims leans towards the latter.

The Guardian

Mr Kiir leans towards independence.

The Economist

He leans towards Nadal.

The Guardian - Sport

She giggles and leans towards me.

Independent

Government is corrupt and leans towards nepotism.

The New Yorker

Robert Novak leans towards Mr Giuliani.

The Economist

The CDU is divided, but leans towards extending the deadline.

The Economist

The manner of self-portrayal leans towards the academic.

The Economist

Politically, Saakashvili leans towards the socially liberal, pro-business right.

The Guardian

'I think that's healthy.' Antonio leans towards me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leans towards" when you want to express that something is more likely or preferred but not definitively certain. For example: "The evidence leans towards supporting this theory."

Common error

Avoid using "leans towards" when the evidence is conclusive. Instead of "The data leans towards confirming the hypothesis", use "The data confirms the hypothesis" to accurately reflect the certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leans towards" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It indicates a tendency, inclination, or preference, without implying absolute certainty. Ludwig AI shows its usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leans towards" is a versatile expression used to convey a tendency, inclination, or preference without absolute certainty. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse writing contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various professional and academic discussions. When writing, use "leans towards" to suggest a likely direction or favoured option, avoiding its use when certainty is established. Consider alternatives such as ""tends to"" or ""inclines toward"" to vary your expression. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "leans towards" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tends to

Indicates a habitual or characteristic way of behaving or proceeding; implies a slightly stronger inclination.

inclines toward

A more formal synonym suggesting a bent or predisposition.

favors

Suggests a preference or partiality toward one option or possibility.

is predisposed to

Implies a natural tendency or susceptibility.

has a tendency to

Highlights a recurring pattern or likelihood.

gravitates to

Suggests a natural movement or attraction.

is inclined to believe

Specifically indicates a tendency to accept something as true.

edges toward

Implies a gradual or hesitant movement in a particular direction.

demonstrates a preference for

Highlights the action of showing a clear preference.

exhibits a proclivity for

A formal way to describe a natural inclination or predisposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "leans towards" to indicate a preference or inclination. For example, "He "leans towards" the opinion that climate change is a serious threat".

What are some alternatives to "leans towards"?

Alternatives to "leans towards" include "tends to", "inclines toward", or "favors", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "leaning towards" instead of "leans towards"?

While "leaning towards" can be grammatically correct in certain progressive verb tenses, ""leans towards"" is generally used to express a habitual or characteristic inclination.

What's the difference between "leans towards" and "prefers"?

"Leans towards" suggests a tendency or inclination, while "prefers" indicates a stronger, more definite choice. "He "leans towards" coffee" means he generally likes coffee, whereas "He prefers coffee" means he chooses coffee over other options.