prevalent tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevalent tendency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or widespread inclination or behavior observed in a particular context. Example: "There is a prevalent tendency among teenagers to use social media as their primary means of communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This bias can be especially strong in negotiation, given the prevalent tendency to view negotiation as a competition.

Harvard University

Initiated at east London's Transition Gallery, Fade Away cuts a swathe through an increasingly prevalent tendency among painters to engage with intriguing ambiguities.

The Guardian - Arts

Then as now, the prevalent tendency in math education was to offer students "relevant" mathematics; as if the same mathematics is relevant to all students.

The New York Times

Lauren Ross, who recently resigned as director and chief curator of White Columns, has organized an engaging show about a prevalent tendency in contemporary art: the reshuffling of familiar graphic conventions into pictures that are teasingly illusory yet indecipherably abstract.

The New York Times

We hypothesize that effective projects should support surgeons performing cancer operations, and avoid the prevalent tendency to focus on identifying 'bad apples' or surgeons not meeting a pre-set bar of performance.

Surgical Oncology

They point out that a prevalent tendency of gender selection and an obvious marry-up model exist in China's ethnic intermarriages.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The access-for-depiction dynamic is at least as prevalent a tendency in journalism as the seduction-and-betrayal routine.

The New Yorker

Despite the prevalent, demonstrated tendency for female students to avoid upper secondary school science, these females were successfully studying physics in schools with established success in science generally, and physics particularly.

International Journal of STEM Education

His concerns may have developed because of the antisacramental tendencies prevalent in the Netherlands at that time, tendencies that developed from the humanism of Erasmus and the ethical concerns of the Brethren of the Common Life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their "return to nature" approach was, to a large extent, a reaction against the tendency prevalent among psychologists to study just a few behavioral phenomena observed in a handful of species that were kept in impoverished laboratory environments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This assumption has been bolstered by the tendency, prevalent until recently, to base an understanding of Descartes' philosophy primarily on his two most famous books, Discourse on the Method and Meditations on First Philosophy.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "prevalent tendency", provide specific examples or data to support your claim. This strengthens your argument and makes it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "prevalent tendency" applies to everyone in a group. Recognize individual differences and exceptions to the rule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevalent tendency" functions as a noun phrase that describes a widespread or common inclination, behavior, or characteristic. It is used to identify patterns that are frequently observed within a specific context or population, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prevalent tendency" describes a common or widespread inclination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and news-related domains. While not as frequent as some other phrases, it is a useful way to describe patterns of behavior or characteristics within a population. For more clarity and impact, always provide specific examples to support claims about "prevalent tendencies". Consider alternatives like "common inclination" or "widespread trend" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common inclination

Replaces "tendency" with "inclination", emphasizing a natural disposition.

widespread trend

Substitutes "tendency" with "trend", suggesting a direction or course of events.

general propensity

Replaces "prevalent" with "general" and "tendency" with "propensity", indicating a natural inclination.

common practice

Shifts focus to an established way of doing something.

typical pattern

Emphasizes a recurring arrangement or sequence.

established norm

Highlights a standard or accepted behavior in a group.

dominant trait

Focuses on a characteristic that is most noticeable or influential.

prevailing attitude

Refers to a widespread sentiment or way of thinking.

marked disposition

Implies a noticeable natural tendency.

frequent habit

Highlights a repetitive behavior that is common.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "prevalent tendency" in a sentence?

Use "prevalent tendency" to describe a widespread behavior or inclination. For instance, "There is a prevalent tendency for people to check their phones frequently."

What are some alternatives to "prevalent tendency"?

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

Is there a difference between "prevalent tendency" and "common trend"?

"Prevalent tendency" emphasizes an inclination or behavior, while "common trend" suggests a direction or course of events that is widely observed. Although similar, they highlight different aspects.

What makes a tendency "prevalent"?

A tendency is considered "prevalent" when it's widely observed and common within a particular group or context, affecting many individuals or situations.