pervasive tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pervasive tendency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a widespread or common inclination or behavior observed in a particular context or situation. Example: "There is a pervasive tendency among consumers to prefer online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

She argues forcefully against abstinence-only education and what she sees as a pervasive tendency to view all manifestations of childhood sexuality as dangerous or disturbing.

The New York Times - Books

One hopeful indicator in this regard is a speech Xi gave at the Central Party School in late 2009, in which he explicitly criticized the pervasive tendency toward sloganeering in domestic and foreign policy, arguing that slogans needed to be replaced by substance and hard work.

The New York Times

We have a pervasive tendency to interpret and explain behavior in terms of intentional mental states.

SEP

There is a powerful, pervasive tendency, among philosophers, social scientists, and laypeople to dismiss their self-appraisals as reflecting ignorance, self-deception, defensive exaggeration, or courageous optimism [see SEP entry on "Feminist Perspectives on Disability", Sec. 3].

SEP

The conviction that dual citizenship in this context could serve to 'contribute to improved well-being and a more rapid integration in the new society' (SOU 1999 34, p. 203 b reflects the pervasive tendency in the Swedish public documents to point out the correlation between citizenship and social integration.

Comparative Migration Studies

Psychologists call this the planning fallacy -- a pervasive tendency to underestimate how long it will take to do just about anything -- and it can be attributed to several different biases.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Self-enhancement is a pervasive human tendency in a variety of social contexts (e.g., Goffman, 1959; Schlenker, 2003), including social networking sites (see Hancock & Toma, 2009; Siibak, 2009).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Life, for Schrödinger, is "negative entropy", i.e. the remarkable ability to withstand the pervasive, disruptive natural tendency towards pulverisation.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

A lot of times, it's a pervasive but subtle tendency to push women in different directions, to reward them at a lower rate and judge them by different metrics than men.

Huffington Post

14 16 Ahmer et al 17 have reported pervasive and persistent tendencies for medical trainees in Pakistan to be subjected to 'disrespectful interactions', 'belittlement', 'undermining' and 'humiliation'humiliation

BMJ Open

He attributes this tendency to two pervasive misconceptions about responsibility.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pervasive tendency", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the tendency applies to. This adds clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pervasive tendency" when describing a localized or isolated phenomenon. The word "pervasive" implies a widespread presence; ensure this aligns with the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pervasive tendency" functions as a noun phrase describing a widespread or common inclination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is perfectly valid and usable in English. The examples confirm its use in various academic and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pervasive tendency" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a widespread inclination or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While synonyms like "widespread inclination" and "common trend" can be used, it's essential to ensure that the chosen alternative accurately reflects the intended meaning and scope. When writing, be sure to clearly define the context and avoid overstating the prevalence of the tendency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread inclination

Changes the noun from 'tendency' to 'inclination' and the adjective from 'pervasive' to 'widespread'.

prevalent inclination

Replaces 'pervasive' with 'prevalent', keeping 'inclination' as a synonym for 'tendency'.

ubiquitous trend

Substitutes 'pervasive' with 'ubiquitous', implying an even wider presence.

common trend

Replaces 'tendency' with 'trend' and 'pervasive' with 'common'.

general disposition

Substitutes 'tendency' with 'disposition' and 'pervasive' with 'general'.

dominant inclination

Replaces 'pervasive' with 'dominant', suggesting a stronger influence.

extensive disposition

Replaces 'pervasive' with 'extensive' and 'tendency' with 'disposition'.

deep-seated inclination

Conveys the idea that the inclination is firmly established and difficult to change.

ingrained habit

This suggests that the tendency is deeply rooted or established.

systematic bias

Implies the tendency is predictable and structural.

FAQs

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

You can use "pervasive tendency" to describe a widespread or common inclination or behavior. For instance, "There is a "pervasive tendency" for people to overestimate their abilities".

What are some alternatives to "pervasive tendency"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread inclination", "common trend", or "general disposition" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very pervasive tendency"?

Using "very" before "pervasive" can be redundant, as "pervasive" already implies widespread. However, you can emphasize the extent of the tendency by providing specific examples or data instead of simply adding "very".

What's the difference between "pervasive tendency" and "common practice"?

"Pervasive tendency" refers to an inclination or leaning, while "common practice" refers to something that is habitually done. A "pervasive tendency" might explain why a "common practice" exists.