tendency toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tendency toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an inclination or feeling toward something. Example sentence: Employees in my company have been displaying a strong tendency toward unionization.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both men have a tendency toward overweight.

The New Yorker

There is a tendency toward sameness.

The New York Times

Yes, there's a tendency toward exclamation.

The New York Times - Arts

There is a tendency toward status-flagging in this novel.

The New York Times - Books

Sculpture and the decorative arts showed a tendency toward abstraction.

Britannica

Often I weary of Obama's tendency toward self-pity.

The Washington Post

The tendency toward overconfidence readily extends to business.

Harvard Business Review

"Motherhood" seems to suffer from its heroine's tendency toward distraction.

The New York Times

Critics suggest they encourage a tendency toward gimmicky, unworkable ideas.

The Guardian

Besides, Obama's tendency toward deflation isn't limited to Barack.

The New Yorker

There is the tendency toward overeating and overdrinking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tendency toward" when describing a general inclination or drift, rather than a definitive action or outcome. For example, "a tendency toward simplification" is more appropriate than "a simplification."

Common error

Avoid using "tendency toward" when a more direct verb or noun accurately describes the situation. For instance, instead of saying "there's a tendency toward ignoring the rules", consider "the rules are often ignored" for stronger clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tendency toward" functions as a noun phrase functioning as a complement or modifier. It indicates an inclination, drift, or predisposition in a particular direction. This aligns with the examples provided by Ludwig, which show it describing general inclinations rather than specific actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tendency toward" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing inclinations or predispositions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal academic writing to news reporting. While alternatives like "inclination towards" or "propensity for" exist, "tendency toward" maintains a neutral to formal register. Remember to use it to depict general drifts rather than direct actions, and avoid overusing it when a more concise phrasing is available. Its prevalence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and academic institutions underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclination towards

Replaces "tendency" with "inclination", emphasizing a leaning or preference.

predisposition for

Highlights a pre-existing likelihood or susceptibility.

propensity for

Indicates a natural inclination or inherent tendency.

leaning towards

Suggests a directional bias or preference.

aptitude for

Focuses on a natural ability or potential.

bent on

Implies a strong determination or focus.

vulnerable to

Highlights a susceptibility to negative influences.

susceptible to

Similar to vulnerable, emphasizing openness to influence.

disposed to

Indicates a general inclination or willingness.

partial to

Suggests a preference or liking.

FAQs

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

You can use "tendency toward" to describe an inclination or predisposition. For example: "The project has a "tendency toward" delays due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "tendency toward"?

Alternatives include phrases like "inclination towards", "propensity for", or "leaning towards", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "tendency to" or "tendency toward"?

While both are grammatically correct, "tendency toward" is often used when referring to a general direction or drift, whereas "tendency to" might describe a specific action or behavior. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "tendency toward" and "predisposition for"?

"Tendency toward" indicates a general inclination, while "predisposition for" suggests a pre-existing susceptibility or likelihood. Predisposition is a stronger and more inherent inclination.