trends towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trends towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general direction or tendency in data, behavior, or opinions over time. Example: "The research indicates that consumer preferences trends towards sustainable products."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has previously written on universities and higher education, especially recent trends towards their marketisation.

The Guardian

"The review is considering the implications for the UK of international trends towards consolidation.

The Guardian

Alexander, B. D. & Perfect, J. R. Antifungal resistance trends towards the year 2000.

Nature

Otherwise, the survey reflected a continuation of long-term trends towards an older, more female audience.

The New York Times

There were non-significant trends towards higher engagement in all measures of PA among Anglo-Australians.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport

Recent trends towards composite and hybrid materials are illustrated with examples and newly developed hybrid electrolytes.

Progress in Solid State Chemistry

Recent fabrication process improvements and trends towards innovative engineered structures are also described.

Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) Technology Manufacture and Applications

Parody in interview form spoofs way-out writers and trends towards obscurity and obscenity in modern fiction.

The New Yorker

It will also explore the trends towards ethical consumerism and increased regulation of financial markets spurred by the credit crisis.

Independent

He hopes his long-form style (mocked by jealous rivals as "slow Burns") can counter trends towards short attention spans.

Independent

Consecutive governments wanted to adapt the system to the trends towards flexibility and individualisation of labour market relations.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes over time, use "trends towards" to highlight the direction or inclination of the change.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "trend towards" something implies a direct causal relationship. Correlation does not equal causation; further analysis is needed to determine the underlying factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trends towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating direction or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing general tendencies. Examples show it used in various contexts to highlight movement or changes over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trends towards" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a direction or inclination of change. According to Ludwig AI, it is perfectly usable in written English. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether the change implies causation and choose semantically similar alternatives based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig examples confirm that "trends towards" is used across various sources to suggest movement and changes over time, be it on different topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tendencies toward

Focuses on inherent inclinations or predispositions rather than observable changes.

movement toward

Emphasizes a shift or progression in a specific direction or state.

inclination to

Highlights a leaning or preference for something, often implying a degree of volition.

shift in favor of

Indicates a change in preference or support toward a particular option or idea.

progression to

Suggests a step-by-step advancement or development in a certain direction.

evolving toward

Emphasizes a gradual development or transformation over time.

developing into

Focuses on the process of becoming or growing into something specific.

drifting towards

Implies a gradual, often unintentional, shift in direction or focus.

changing into

Highlights a transformation or alteration into a new state or form.

approaching

Indicates a movement closer to a particular target or condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "trends towards" to describe a general direction or tendency. For example, "There are "trends towards renewable energy"".

What are some alternatives to "trends towards"?

Alternatives include "tendencies toward", "movement toward", or "inclination to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "trend towards" or "trends towards"?

"Trend towards" can be used to indicate a singular trend, while "trends towards" is appropriate when referring to multiple or general tendencies. So, "trend toward" is for a single trend.

What's the difference between "trends towards" and "progressing to"?

"Trends towards" suggests a general direction of change, whereas "progressing to" implies a more definite and advanced stage of development. "Progressing to" means that the goal is more tangible.