tending towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"tending towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It suggests that something is moving or directing itself towards a particular thing or result. For example: She was tending towards a career in marketing, but decided to pursue a degree in psychology instead.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Phage isolates with colours tending toward yellow have high host ranges, whereas those tending towards red have narrow host ranges.

Ecological Processes

Follow WW signs in wood, tending towards right at first.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, she was already tending towards chamber music.

The Guardian

Reading it had left me tending towards the latter view.

The Guardian

Repair in composite materials is tending towards autonomic healing systems.

Polymer

Straitened finances also mean that regional theatres are tending towards caution and commissioning less new work.

The Guardian - Opinion

The soup should be tending towards a certain thickness and body – not gloopy, but substantial.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now it's smoothed out, tending towards the condition of a high-design tea towel.

The Guardian - Arts

Inevitably, as the afternoon wore on, calls started tending towards the drunken.

Independent

Again, Ntini is tending towards the filthy side with his bowling so far.

The Guardian - Sport

For this recipe the bananas need to be tending towards brown.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tending towards" to describe a gradual change or development, not a sudden shift. For example, "The discussion was tending towards a consensus."

Common error

Avoid using "tending towards" when describing a definite, already achieved result. Instead, use it for ongoing processes or likely outcomes. Incorrect: "The project tended towards completion (when it was already done)." Correct: "The project was tending towards completion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tending towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating directionality or inclination. It often modifies a verb, specifying the direction in which an action or state is moving, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

59%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tending towards" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express a gradual inclination or movement towards a specific state or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and general writing contexts, indicating its suitability for both neutral and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a gradual shift rather than a completed action. Consider alternatives like "moving toward" or "inclining toward" to fine-tune your meaning. Therefore, the phrase "tending towards" is a good way to show that something has a direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving toward

This alternative emphasizes the directional aspect of change or development.

inclining toward

This alternative focuses on a leaning or predisposition towards something.

gravitating toward

This alternative suggests an attraction or pull towards a specific outcome or state.

drifting toward

This alternative indicates a gradual and often unintentional shift.

developing into

This alternative highlights the process of evolving or transforming into something.

progressing toward

This alternative emphasizes forward movement and advancement.

approaching

This alternative suggests a coming closer to a specific condition or result.

shifting towards

This alternative underscores a change in direction or focus.

verging on

This alternative conveys a state that is very close to another, without quite reaching it.

becoming more like

This alternative highlights the process of resembling something to a greater degree.

FAQs

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

You can use "tending towards" to describe a gradual inclination or movement towards a particular state or outcome. For example, "The economy is "tending towards" recovery" or "Her argument was "tending towards" a more conservative viewpoint."

What are some alternatives to "tending towards"?

Alternatives to "tending towards" include phrases like "moving toward", "inclining toward", or "gravitating toward", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tending towards" in formal writing?

Yes, "tending towards" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a grammatically correct and relatively sophisticated way to describe a gradual shift or inclination, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "tending towards" and "trending towards"?

"Tending towards" describes a general inclination or movement in a certain direction, while "trending towards" often refers to a current fashion or popular direction. For example, "The data is "tending towards" suggesting a correlation" (general inclination), versus "The market is trending towards eco-friendly products" (current popular direction).