tendency

USAGE SUMMARY

'tendency' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it in reference to an inclination or direction of behavior. For example, "Research shows a tendency for people to express more agreeable behavior in public settings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Lifestyle

Tech

Business

Music

Politics

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some studies have suggested a link between a person's tendency to reject established science and accept conspiracy theories (known as 'conspiratorial ideation') while endorsing "free market" policies.

The Guardian

When Labour loses an election there is a tendency on the left to first indulge in the wisdom of hindsight, and then to project the party's failures eternally into the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

It firmly sought to blame what Thatcher described as "the ultra left", specifically communists in trade unions and Trotskyists such as the Militant tendency taking over local government.

The Guardian

Both betray a supreme arrogance toward a Latin American neighbor of the US, a delusional self-confidence, and a tendency to rely on information from the local ruling class, its managers and its politicians.

The Guardian - Opinion

In certain quarters, there is a tendency to believe that the inevitable dynamic of the peace process is not just the inclusion of the extremes but their domination of the polity.

The Guardian

For those who know little about Turner's life, it's a jolt to accept that the creator of paintings of genius was a faulty bloke with an intermittently uncivil tongue, a tendency to grunt and a contradictory attitude towards women.

The Guardian - Film

"There's often a tendency to define a strategy with a large amount of money to it and then go and try and find out how you're actually going to spend that money.

The Guardian

No other city in Britain will have any units of the gold watches available to try on (or even look at) in-store, leaving the watch – Apple's attempt to compete with traditional watchmakers tendency to sell expensive solid-gold watches to the super rich in the West and abroad – a London-only prospect for the time being.

The Guardian - Tech

"Against a pessimistic backdrop, this report shows the global public's tendency towards nostalgia, allied to a strong sense that traditions are important, and a desire for a slower pace of life and simplification," said Ben Page, Ipsos Mori's chief executive.

The Guardian

This herding can lead to sudden reversals as market conditions change, and the tendency of individual investors to pull their money out of under-performing funds can give these laggards an incentive to take bigger risks, the authors argue.

The Guardian - Business

Emile Hokayem, an analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says there is a tendency in the Gulf to overstate Iran's role and a tendency in the west to understate it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tendency", clarify what is causing or influencing the inclination for better context. For example, specify the factors contributing to a "tendency to procrastinate".

Common error

Avoid using "tendency" when you mean a certainty. A "tendency" indicates a probability, not a guarantee. If an outcome is certain, use words like "will", "must", or "always" instead.

Linguistic Context

The noun "tendency" functions primarily as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a general inclination or predisposition. As exemplified by Ludwig's examples, it illustrates a likelihood of behaving or developing in a particular way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Lifestyle

12%

Business

9%

Less common in

Music

7%

Film

7%

Tech

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tendency" is a versatile noun used to describe an inclination or predisposition towards something. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Business. While alternatives like "inclination" and "propensity" exist, "tendency" provides a balanced, neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use "tendency" to express a likelihood, not a certainty, and clarify its influencing factors for better context. Ludwig's analysis underscores "tendency" as a practical and reliable choice for conveying patterns and likely outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclination

Suggests a leaning or preference, very close in meaning to "tendency".

propensity

Implies a natural inclination or habit, slightly stronger than "tendency".

predisposition

Indicates a pre-existing inclination; more formal than "tendency".

leaning

Indicates a bias or inclination towards a particular option or viewpoint.

predilection

Denotes a preference or special liking, often more pronounced than a "tendency".

penchant

Suggests a strong liking or fondness, implying a positive inclination.

disposition

Refers to a person's inherent qualities of mind and character; broader than "tendency".

aptitude

Implies an inherent ability or suitability for something; can also indicate a natural inclination.

liable to

Expresses that something is likely to happen, often carrying a sense of probability.

vulnerability

Implies susceptibility to something, usually negative or harmful.

FAQs

How to use "tendency" in a sentence?

Use "tendency" to describe a prevailing inclination, trend, or quality. For example, "There is a "tendency" for people to repeat what they've heard." or "She has a "tendency" to overthink situations."

What can I say instead of "tendency"?

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

Which is correct, "tendency to" or "tendency of"?

"Tendency to" is generally used when referring to an action or behavior: "He has a "tendency to" procrastinate". "Tendency of" can refer to a general characteristic or trend: "The "tendency of" the market is upward."

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

While both words refer to a direction something is moving in, a "trend" usually implies a pattern observed over time in data or behavior, while a "tendency" suggests an inclination or predisposition towards a particular outcome.