tendency towards

USAGE SUMMARY

'tendency towards' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a way to describe a propensity or inclination in a particular direction, or towards a particular outcome. For example, "Scientists have observed a tendency towards increased aggression in chimps raised in captivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This should mitigate any tendency towards clustering.

The Economist

A tendency towards the cheesy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hales may have a tendency towards understatement.

The Guardian - Sport

What happened in Egypt has strengthened this tendency towards compromise".

The Guardian

Yes, our president has a tendency towards unfortunate, sweeping rhetoric.

The Guardian

A tendency towards softness unifies all aspects of the exhibition.

The New York Times

They also have a tendency towards insomnia and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This tendency towards revision can cause problems, though.

The New Yorker

This reinforces politicians' natural tendency towards short-termism.

The Economist

There's heaps of comedy and a predictable tendency towards too many lyrics".

The Guardian

But what of "the English tendency towards sensational disquiet" -- "that morbid sensationalism everywhere encountered"?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tendency towards" to describe a general inclination or drift, rather than a fixed or certain outcome. It implies a probability, not a guarantee.

Common error

Avoid using "tendency towards" when describing a direct causal relationship. It indicates an inclination, not a guaranteed outcome. Instead of saying, 'His tendency towards lateness caused the accident', consider 'His lateness contributed to the accident'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tendency towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb. It describes a predisposition, inclination, or drift in a certain direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a propensity rather than a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tendency towards" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express an inclination, predisposition, or drift in a certain direction. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While suitable for neutral and formal registers, it should not be used to indicate direct causation. The phrase is common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. Alternatives include "inclination toward", "propensity for", and "predisposition to". Remember that using "tendency towards" suggests a probability, not a certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclination toward

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

propensity for

Substitutes "tendency" with "propensity", highlighting a natural inclination or habit.

predisposition to

Replaces "tendency" with "predisposition", suggesting a susceptibility or inclination.

leaning toward

Uses "leaning" instead of "tendency", conveying a directional bias or preference.

bent on

Offers a more forceful alternative, implying a determined inclination towards a specific outcome.

drift toward

Suggests a gradual and often unintentional movement in a particular direction.

move toward

Emphasizes active progression or advancement in a specified direction.

bias for

Highlights a pre-existing preference or inclination in favor of something.

susceptibility to

Indicates a vulnerability or proneness to be affected by something.

vulnerability to

Similar to "susceptibility to", but often implies a weakness or openness to negative influences.

FAQs

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

You can use "tendency towards" to describe an inclination or predisposition. For example, "There is a "tendency towards" populism during economic crises".

What are some alternatives to "tendency towards"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inclination toward", "propensity for", or "predisposition to".

Is it correct to say "tendency to" instead of "tendency towards"?

While "tendency to" is sometimes used, "tendency towards" is generally preferred when indicating a direction or movement. "Tendency to" is more commonly used to describe a general habit or characteristic. For example, "a tendency to procrastinate".

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

"Tendency towards" describes an inclination or predisposition, while "trend towards" indicates a general direction or pattern of change observed over time. A "tendency towards" something may contribute to a trend towards it.