we leaned towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we leaned towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a preference or inclination towards a particular idea, opinion, or decision. Example: "After much discussion, we leaned towards adopting the new policy to improve efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We temporarily considered moving back until the 2016 election season began, but the more we saw things ramp up, the more we leaned towards staying.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nowadays we lean towards short stories and poetry.

The Guardian - Books

"We leant towards things we thought were sexier," says guitarist and vocalist Theresa Wayman.

The Guardian - Music

We lean towards the later end of that March 17-26 window this year, because the cherry trees went dormant on late side this year.

The Washington Post

During the week, we lean towards the fresh, healthy and detoxing.

Huffington Post

That said, we lean towards holophyly and our hypothesis does as well.

Biology Direct

Author's response: We lean towards your arguments in this case unless one can deal with the incongruence in a non-arbitrarily manner as we have proposed here.

Biology Direct

Makeup: Deeper and darker tones are better during autumn season, so avoid the bright pinks, blues, greens, purples and yellows we lean towards during the spring and summer.

WikiHow

In our initial RFQs ("request for quote") we leaned heavily towards manufacturing entirely in the United States.

TechCrunch

"To counter the Chinese threat we must lean towards the West -- not because we like the West, but because the Chinese Army is 2.5 million strong".

The New York Times

As we begin to realise the nature of our predicament through meditative disciplines, we naturally lean towards compassion for others, whose fate is intertwined with our own.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we leaned towards", ensure the context clearly indicates what alternatives were considered. This provides a clearer understanding of the decision-making process and the reasons behind the inclination.

Common error

Avoid using "we leaned towards" when a definitive decision has been made. This phrase suggests a tentative preference rather than a firm commitment. Use stronger verbs like "chose", "selected", or "decided" for final decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we leaned towards" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a tendency or inclination towards a particular option or decision. It expresses a preference that is not necessarily definitive. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we leaned towards" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a preference or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms that it is particularly frequent in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While suitable for formal writing, it is essential to consider the strength of the intended meaning and avoid using it when a definitive decision has been made. Related phrases like "we were inclined to" or "we favored" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were inclined to

Emphasizes a predisposition or tendency, similar to leaning but suggests a more inherent inclination.

we favored

Indicates a preference or approval, suggesting a more conscious decision than merely leaning.

we gravitated toward

Suggests a natural attraction or pull, implying less deliberate choice.

we were predisposed to

Highlights a prior tendency, emphasizing the pre-existing nature of the inclination.

we were disposed to

Similar to predisposed, but slightly less strong in its implication of a pre-existing tendency.

we tended toward

Suggests a habitual or regular inclination, focusing on a recurring pattern.

we opted for

Highlights the choice made, emphasizing the selection of one option over others.

we had a preference for

Explicitly states a preference, making the inclination clear and direct.

we were drawn to

Implies an attraction or allure, suggesting a more emotional or aesthetic pull.

we showed a bias towards

Indicates a prejudice or partiality, suggesting an unfair or unbalanced inclination.

FAQs

What does "we leaned towards" mean?

The phrase "we leaned towards" indicates that a group or individual had a preference or inclination towards a particular option, idea, or decision among several possibilities.

How can I use "we leaned towards" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a tentative preference. For example, "After considering all options, we leaned towards the proposal that offered the most long-term benefits."

What can I say instead of "we leaned towards"?

You can use alternatives like "we were inclined to", "we favored", or "we gravitated toward" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "we leaned towards" in formal writing?

Yes, "we leaned towards" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure that the context calls for expressing a preference rather than a definitive decision. If a firm decision was made, consider stronger verbs such as "chose" or "decided".