negative tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative tendency" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation that is becoming worse or less positive over time. For example, "Recent economic data shows a negative tendency in the job market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

That negative tendency seems to be at work today.

The New York Times

At the national team level, repeated failure reinforces a negative tendency for south-east Asia to retreat into itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, in retrospect, some associates say that they saw signs of the more negative tendency.

The New York Times

The GNSS PWV tends to be smaller than the radiosonde observations and the negative tendency increases with the PWV value.

Earth, Planets and Space

The mean excess functions decrease to zero and usually show a negative tendency in the range of the last few of the largest data points.

Earth, Planets and Space

Students who perceive that they would not be able to combine entrepreneurial activity with academic work show negative tendency of engagement in entrepreneurship.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But Elizabeth says she does wonder if her behavior exacerbated some of Kiran's negative tendencies.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I did say we were brothers and what I meant by that was that we had things in common, like negative tendencies.

The Guardian

That is the result why the necessity of conducting III block of research emerged (evaluation of knowledge in the sphere of medical insurance). The research exposed exogen character of negative tendencies of health, what gives as hope of remising the existing situation.

Princeton University

In a defiant 90-minute speech, the 75-year-old politician told 5,000 delegates gathered in Soweto that to "restore and maintain its character, the ANC needs to cleanse itself of the negative tendencies which have crept in over the years".

The Guardian

This sinister tendency came to a climax about 1605 and was in part a consequence of the anxiety surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth I and the accession of James I. Despite their negative tendencies, the Elizabethans, in general, had affirmed life and celebrated it; Shakespeare's moral balance, throughout even his darkest plays, remained firm.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "negative tendency", be specific about the area or aspect where the tendency is observed. For example, instead of saying "There is a negative tendency", specify "There is a negative tendency in market growth due to recent policy changes".

Common error

Avoid using "negative tendency" as a vague descriptor. Instead of simply stating that something has a "negative tendency", provide context and explain the underlying cause or potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative tendency" functions as a noun phrase that describes a propensity or inclination toward an undesirable outcome or direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negative tendency" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a propensity towards an undesirable outcome. As Ludwig AI highlights, the expression is correct and usable. Its usage spans various domains, including science and news media, indicating broad applicability. While the phrase itself is fairly straightforward, clarity is key; specify the subject and reason for the negative trend to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrasings such as "undesirable trend" or "adverse trend" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undesirable trend

Replaces "tendency" with "trend", focusing on a direction of change that is not wanted.

unfavorable inclination

Substitutes "negative" with "unfavorable" and "tendency" with "inclination", indicating a leaning towards something not preferred.

adverse trend

Uses "adverse" to emphasize the harmful nature of the trend.

downward spiral

Conveys a more dramatic and worsening situation than a simple "negative tendency".

detrimental trend

Highlights the damaging or harmful aspect of the trend.

harmful inclination

Emphasizes the potential for damage or harm.

pessimistic outlook

Shifts the focus to a negative view or expectation about the future.

worrying development

Highlights the cause for concern associated with the trend.

problematic inclination

Emphasizes the issues or problems associated with a particular inclination.

concerning development

Similar to "worrying development" but potentially slightly less intense in its implication of unease.

FAQs

How can I use "negative tendency" in a sentence?

You can use "negative tendency" to describe a situation that is becoming worse or less positive over time. For example: "Recent economic data shows a "negative tendency" in the job market".

What can I say instead of "negative tendency"?

You can use alternatives like "undesirable trend", "unfavorable inclination", or "adverse trend" depending on the context.

Is "negative tendency" formal or informal?

"Negative tendency" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in analytical or descriptive writing. More informal situations may benefit from an alternative phrasing like "downward spiral".

What's the difference between "negative tendency" and "negative trend"?

While "negative tendency" and "negative trend" are similar, "tendency" suggests a predisposition or inclination, while "trend" implies an observed pattern of change. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a predisposition or an observed change.