tendency of vs tendency to

Both 'tendency of' and 'tendency to' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Tendency of' is used to describe the characteristic or quality of something, while 'tendency to' is used to indicate a likelihood or inclination to do something.

Last updated: March 15, 2024

tendency of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the characteristic or quality of something.

The phrase 'tendency of' is used to describe the inherent characteristic or quality of a person, thing, or situation. It is often followed by a noun or pronoun.

Examples:

The tendency of the river to flood during heavy rains is a concern for the residents.
She has a tendency of being late to meetings.
The study revealed a tendency of children to imitate their parents' behavior.
One tendency of the new generation is to rely heavily on technology.
The company has a tendency of promoting from within.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dominating central serotonin antagonism may reduce the tendency of paliperidone to cause extrapyramidal side effects.
The tendency of modern architecture - as much as possible to open space.
Number and tendency of its change: Meets groups, sometimes forms a continuous cover.
Number and tendency of its change: Occurs microgroups among a cranberry marsh.
Denaturation of KLH also results in a tendency of the protein to aggregate and precipitate from solution.
Living in a house ona tree isn't only a fable, but a real and true tendency of the green architecture.
Most girls have the unfortunate tendency of being whiny, little twits.
The tendency of the Council to disregard external development priorities is worrying.
The Communication illustrates that this tendency of creating new systems will continue.
It is a tendency of thought with predictable positions and biases.
And it also can reduce the tendency of blood clots.
Various factors can influence the tendency of a material to absorb blue light and thus appear yellow.
The tendency of change of number is not known.
In the last decade accurately expressed tendency of reduction of number of populations is observed.
Today, the economic situation is slowly improving, but there is still a large tendency of emigration from the region to larger cities.
But what is the tendency of this example?
The Augustinian standpoint of the compiler is as unmistakable as the anti-Semipelagian tendency of the whole work.
the tendency of the drug to induce dependence
The present tendency of the anthropological school is to begin with a prereligious stage, from which religious ideas slowly emerged and elaborated themselves.
Number and tendency of its change: Usually grows at small groups or single individuals, seldom forms quite numerous populations (for example, in vicinities of the lake.

Alternatives:

characteristic of
quality of
propensity of
inclination of
habit of

tendency to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a likelihood or inclination to do something.

The phrase 'tendency to' is used to express a likelihood or inclination to do something. It is often followed by a verb.