strong penchant for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strong penchant for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong liking or inclination towards something. Example: "She has a strong penchant for classical music, often attending concerts and recitals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Both Hindus and Muslims share the Hindustani classical music and dance tradition, while they also display a strong penchant for nonclassical popular forms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

EXPERIMENT 1: BANANAS Method: A monkey observed to have a particularly strong penchant for bananas is given a choice — he can continue his standard ration of one banana per day or he can give up bananas in exchange for an unlimited supply of a revolutionary product called New Banana.

The New Yorker

Until recently, the parallel was most evident in both men's strong penchant for the personality cult although not even Stalin thought of building a gold statue of himself that rotates with the sun, as Mr Niyazov has in his capital, Ashgabat.

The Economist

Japan has a particularly strong penchant for Snoopy, et al.: Companies in that country own 40% of "Peanuts'" 900 worldwide licensing agreements.

Forbes

Generally speaking, Cardano's philosophy is heavily influenced by characteristic trends of late scholastic Aristotelianism, with a strong penchant for Averroist interpretations.

SEP

If you own an iPhone, have $1,000 to spare and a strong penchant for Japanese history, this might be the right thing for you (but SoftBank isn't planning to sell the cases outside Nippon).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

When Robert Wilson chose the brilliant black performer Sheryl Sutton for his 1970 show "Deafman Glance," he was doing more than following his penchant for strong casting: he was purposefully incorporating blackness into America's primarily white avant-garde theatre.

The New Yorker

Williamsburg, Brooklyn Through Monday Melissa Brown's paintings and Kristine Robinson's sculptures share a penchant for strong color and eccentric forming techniques that create a confusing yet tactile mix of the handmade and the mechanical.

The New York Times - Arts

And sometimes he simply seems like someone trying to live up to the "Persona" outlined by his political adviser Karl Rove in a campaign brief: a "Strong Leader" with a penchant for "Bold Action" and "Big Ideas".

The New York Times - Books

Instead, the book simply tries to reinforce the presidential "persona" once outlined by the political adviser Karl Rove in a campaign brief: a "Strong Leader" with a penchant for "Bold Action" and "Big Ideas".

The New York Times

Brecht, for one, is a semicomic antihero: Mordden never tires of mentioning his strong body odor, his penchant for pinching literary ideas and getting assistants to do his work, and the dissonance between his supposedly socialist ideals and his disinclination to share credit and royalties.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strong penchant for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject has a strong liking or inclination towards. For instance, "She has a strong penchant for vintage clothing" clarifies the object of her preference.

Common error

Avoid using "penchant" to describe actions or preferences that are mandatory or expected. "Penchant" implies a voluntary inclination, so using it in contexts of obligation can sound awkward. For example, instead of "He has a strong penchant for attending meetings", use "He is required to attend meetings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strong penchant for" functions as a descriptive element, modifying a noun to indicate a notable inclination or liking. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it expressing fondness for hobbies, styles, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strong penchant for" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a notable liking or inclination, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. While alternatives like "strong liking for" exist, "strong penchant for" offers a more sophisticated nuance. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what the subject favors, and avoid using it to describe mandatory actions. Remember, this phrase emphasizes a voluntary and often refined preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong inclination toward

Replaces 'penchant' with 'inclination', suggesting a leaning rather than a liking; less intense than "strong penchant for".

strong liking for

Substitutes 'penchant' with 'liking', using a more common and straightforward expression of preference; less formal.

deep fondness for

Replaces 'penchant' with 'fondness', conveying a sense of affection or warmth in addition to preference.

marked preference for

Replaces "strong penchant" with "marked preference", indicating a clear and noticeable favoring of something.

pronounced inclination for

Similar to "strong inclination", but emphasizes the clarity or obviousness of the inclination.

keen interest in

Focuses on the level of interest rather than inherent preference.

great enthusiasm for

Conveys excitement and positive feelings towards something, suggesting a high level of engagement.

decided leaning toward

Indicates a clear direction or tendency, differing slightly from a pure preference.

noticeable affinity for

Highlights a natural connection or attraction, which might not always be a conscious choice.

particular attraction to

Emphasizes the allure or appeal that something holds, rather than a deliberate preference.

FAQs

How can I use "strong penchant for" in a sentence?

You can use "strong penchant for" to describe someone's strong liking or inclination towards something. For example, "He has a strong penchant for classical music" or "She has a strong penchant for adventurous activities".

What are some alternatives to saying "strong penchant for"?

Alternatives include "strong liking for", "deep fondness for", or "marked preference for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "strong penchant for" or "strong liking for"?

"Strong penchant for" is generally considered more formal than "strong liking for". Penchant suggests a particular and often somewhat refined taste, making it suitable for more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "strong penchant for" and "strong affinity for"?

"Strong penchant for" suggests a deliberate liking or inclination, while "strong affinity for" implies a natural connection or inherent compatibility. The former is a conscious preference; the latter, an intuitive attraction.