with a propensity for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a propensity for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a natural tendency or inclination towards a particular behavior or characteristic. Example: "She has a propensity for taking on challenging projects that others might shy away from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lloyd described her ex as "a man with a propensity for extremes, for being unconventional".

The Guardian

There is even a mysterious Cuban slugger with a propensity for long home runs.

The New York Times - Sports

Which embryo is preferable -- the one with a likelihood for colon cancer or the one with a propensity for diabetes?

The New York Times - Magazine

CONCLUSION: Angiosarcoma of the breast is an aggressive malignancy with a propensity for both local recurrence and distant metastases.

Stanford University

Cutaneous Double Hit B-Cell Lymphoma: An Aggressive Form of B-Cell Lymphoma with A Propensity for Cutaneous Dissemination.

Cornell University

Small cell urothelial carcinoma (SCUC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with a propensity for early microscopic metastases.

European Urology

Characteristic misorientation relationships (25° 40°{〈115〉 and 〈332〉}) were found between grains with a propensity for discontinuous precipitation.

Acta Materialia

A grandfatherly contractor, an auto mechanic with a propensity for passing bad checks, a tax-dodging veterinarian and a few others were the foot soldiers in Pitner's army.

The New York Times - Books

Rather, he said, the Mexicans face a fragmented and loose confederation of heavily armed feuding gangs with a propensity for public killings unmatched by the Mafia.

The New York Times

Once regarded as a liberal As the latest crisis has shown, though, Benedict's candour does not go hand-in-hand with a propensity for swift, decisive action.

The Guardian

Buffeted by fundraising woes, low staff morale and an undisciplined candidate with a propensity for verbal gaffes, Paul's candidacy is already being talked about in the past tense.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a propensity for" to describe a recurring or predictable behavior, characteristic, or outcome. For example, "The software has a propensity for crashing under heavy loads."

Common error

Avoid using "with a propensity for" when a simpler word like "tends to" or "is likely to" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a propensity for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a tendency or inclination towards something. As supported by Ludwig, it describes a characteristic or behavior that is likely to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with a propensity for" is a prepositional phrase that indicates a tendency or inclination towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains. It is commonly found in News & Media and Science, suggesting a professional or neutral tone. For alternative expressions, you might consider "inclined towards", "prone to", or "having a tendency towards". Remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a tendency towards

A more verbose alternative that directly mirrors the meaning of "with a propensity for".

with an inclination for

Slightly more formal, using "inclination" as the noun.

inclined towards

This alternative emphasizes a leaning or tendency in a particular direction.

naturally inclined to

Emphasizes the inherent or innate nature of the inclination.

predisposed to

Highlights a pre-existing susceptibility or vulnerability.

disposed to

Similar to 'inclined', but may suggest a more settled or deliberate tendency.

having a predisposition for

Highlights an inherent tendency or vulnerability.

prone to

Focuses on a vulnerability or susceptibility to something, often negative.

apt to

Suggests a likelihood or probability of something happening.

likely to

Indicates a high probability of something occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "with a propensity for" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards something. Example: "He is an athlete with a propensity for winning."

What are some alternatives to "with a propensity for"?

You can use alternatives like "inclined towards", "prone to", or "having a tendency towards" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "with a tendency for" or "with a propensity for"?

"With a propensity for" and "with a tendency for" are quite similar. "Propensity" often suggests a stronger or more inherent inclination, while "tendency" is a more general inclination.

What does "with a propensity for" mean?

The phrase "with a propensity for" means having a natural inclination or tendency to behave in a particular way or to be susceptible to a particular condition.