penchant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'penchant' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a strong inclination or preference for something. For example: "He has a penchant for classic cars".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There are things already on the shelf such as anti-wrinkle creams that are created from a rooster's comb," he tells me, referring to Pfizer's penchant for white leghorns.

The Guardian - Books

Mac cosmetics this year launched a range of Iris Apfel colours, including Pink Pigeon and Scarlet Ibis, referencing the name of the Met show – Rare Bird – and Apfel's penchant for bright colours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Through Roche, we know of Duchamp's amorous adventure with three young women – and his penchant for "very vulgar women" as lovers.

The Guardian - Arts

His penchant for "big people's work" was part of the reason he left his village, he told me recently.

The Guardian

The film focuses on their marriage, tested by Hitch's penchant for young blondes, and Alma's friendship with a male writer.

The Guardian - Film

By this time, Emwazi was said to be a polite, observant Muslim with a penchant for designer clothes.

The Guardian

But Kanye West's penchant for fancy cars means that developing infant West is likely to have a more exciting time getting around.

The Guardian - Music

Jansen curbed his attacking instincts and penchant for getting caught out of position to turn in a convincing performance as a left-back while the South-Korean attacking midfielder Son Heung-min scored two excellent goals to defy his critics.

The Guardian - Sport

Dundee United became the latest victims of Ayr United's penchant for raising their game against Premier League teams as their First Division visitors twice came from behind to hold the Tangerines to a 2-2 draw.

The Guardian - Sport

This episode also brought out his most alarming and sometimes absurd characteristic, the Cassandra complex coupled with a penchant for Delphic utterance.

The Guardian

Admittedly it's known for its big smiles, short memories and penchant for moral vacuity, but surely even the world of fashion can see that however much of a "genius" he may be, the "racist" Galliano is beyond professional rehabilitation?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "penchant", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject has a liking for. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the object or activity the "penchant" is directed towards.

Common error

Avoid using "penchant" for mild or fleeting preferences. It is more appropriate for describing a significant and consistent liking. Using it for minor preferences can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "penchant" is as a noun, denoting a strong liking or habitual preference for something. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing personal tastes and recurring behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "penchant" is a noun used to describe a strong liking or habitual preference, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a versatile word that appears frequently in news and media, as well as in formal business settings. Understanding that "penchant" denotes a significant and consistent preference, it should not be used for minor or fleeting inclinations. Alternatives like "inclination", "predilection", and "fondness" can be used depending on the context. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its application in describing both personal habits and broader tendencies, making it a useful addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predilection

Suggests a stronger preference, often based on personal taste.

propensity

Indicates a natural inclination or tendency to behave in a certain way.

inclination

Focuses more on a leaning or tendency towards something.

fondness

Implies an affectionate liking.

predisposition

Highlights a pre-existing tendency or inclination.

affinity

Indicates a natural liking or connection.

liking

A general term for a feeling of enjoyment or fondness.

leaning

Suggests a slight preference or tendency.

taste

Refers to a preference in a particular area, like "a taste for art".

partiality

Implies bias or favoritism.

FAQs

How to use "penchant" in a sentence?

You can use "penchant" to describe someone's strong liking or habitual preference for something. For example, "He has a "penchant" for collecting rare books."

What can I say instead of "penchant"?

You can use alternatives like "inclination", "predilection", or "fondness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "penchant for" or "penchant to"?

"Penchant" is typically followed by "for" when indicating a preference for something. "Penchant to" is not a standard usage.

What's the difference between "penchant" and "tendency"?

"Penchant" implies a liking or preference, while "tendency" suggests a natural inclination or disposition towards something. "Penchant" is more about choice, while "tendency" is more about inherent nature.