tends towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"tends towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a gradual leaning or inclination towards a certain direction. For example, "The trend in the industry tends towards a focus on renewable energy sources".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The tone tends towards the evangelical.

The Guardian

NASA's portrayal of Ham tends towards the heroic.

The Guardian

Her blouse library tends towards peachy, creamy colours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having a good attitude tends towards longevity in this career.

The Guardian

His work tends towards the monumental and the esoteric.

The Guardian - Arts

Like its characters, Doctor Salt tends towards affectlessness and disconnection.

The Guardian - Books

Their focus tends towards the future, not the past.

The Guardian - Sport

Is it because we assume the world tends towards disorder?

Independent

But his phrasing tends towards carelessness and rhythmic jumble.

Independent

Elsewhere, unfortunately, Haig tends towards overstatement and repetition.

The New York Times - Books

Broomberg and Chanarin are politically driven conceptual artists and their work tends towards the elaborately ambitious.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tends towards" to express a general direction or inclination, not an absolute certainty. For example, "The stock market tends towards volatility during election years."

Common error

Avoid using "tends towards" when describing a situation that is always or definitively true. Instead, reserve it for inclinations and likely outcomes, not established facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tends towards" functions as a verb phrase indicating a probability, inclination, or general direction. It suggests that something is likely to move, lean, or develop in a particular way, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples. This usage is confirmed by the grammatical correctness verified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tends towards" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a likely direction, inclination, or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Its communicative purpose involves conveying a non-definitive prediction, often seen in news reporting, scientific discussions, and formal business communications. While versatile, it is important to avoid using "tends towards" to describe situations that are definitively true; instead, reserve it for likely outcomes. Related alternatives include "inclines toward", "leans towards", and "gravitates towards", each offering subtle variations in meaning. With its frequent usage and broad applicability, mastering the use of "tends towards" can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclines toward

Emphasizes a leaning or preference in a particular direction.

leans towards

Similar to "tends towards", but suggests a slightly weaker inclination.

gravitates towards

Implies a natural attraction or movement towards something.

moves towards

Suggests a directional shift or progression.

is inclined to

Focuses on a predisposition or willingness to do something.

is prone to

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability to something.

has a tendency to

A more formal way of expressing a habitual inclination.

verges on

Suggests approaching a boundary or limit.

approaches

Indicates a coming closer to a specific state or condition.

heads in the direction of

More verbose, emphasizing the direction of movement or development.

FAQs

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

Use "tends towards" to indicate a general direction or inclination, not a definite outcome. For example, "The economy tends towards recovery after a recession."

What are some alternatives to "tends towards"?

You can use alternatives such as "inclines toward", "leans towards", or "gravitates towards" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "tends to towards"?

No, "tends to towards" is redundant. The correct phrase is "tends towards". The word "tends" already implies a direction or inclination.

What's the difference between "tends towards" and "is always"?

"Tends towards" indicates a likely or common outcome, while "is always" suggests a certainty. "Tends towards" implies a probability, while "is always" denotes a constant state.