tendency */*/

tendency */*/
UK [ˈtendənsɪ] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "tendency":
singular tendency plural tendencies
Get it right: tendency:
When a verb comes after tendency, use the pattern tendency to do something (not "tendency of doing something"):
Wrong: …the tendency of accepting anything written on a piece of paper
Right: …the tendency to accept anything written on a piece of paper
Wrong: …the tendency of treating the Holocaust as if it had never happened
Right: …the tendency to treat the Holocaust as if it had never happened When another noun comes after tendency, the usual preposition is towards (not "of"):
Wrong: There is a tendency of isolation in modern society.
Right: There is a tendency towards isolation in modern society.
1)
a) a strong chance that something will happen in a particular way
a tendency (for someone/something) to do something:

There's a tendency for a new manager to make changes.

have a tendency to do something:

You have a tendency to avoid arguments.

b) an aspect of your character that you show by behaving in a particular way

have artistic/criminal/suicidal tendencies

2) an attitude, habit, or situation that is starting to develop in a particular way

an increasing/growing tendency

a tendency (for someone/something) to do something:

The tendency is for students to research on the Internet.

a tendency towards something:

We continue to see a tendency towards globalization of brands.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • tendency — tendency, trend, drift, tenor can mean a movement or course having a particular direction and character or the direction and character which such a movement or course takes. Tendency usually implies an inherent or acquired inclination in a person …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Tendency — Tend en*cy, n.; pl. {Tendencies}. [L. tendents, entis, p. pr. of tendere: cf. F. tendance. See {Tend} to move.] Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tendency — [ten′dən sē] n. pl. tendencies [ML tendentia < L tendens, prp. of tendere, to TEND2] 1. an inclination to move or act in a particular direction or way; constant disposition to some action or state; leaning; bias; propensity; bent 2. a course… …   English World dictionary

  • tendency — [n1] inclination to think or do in a certain way addiction, affection, bent*, bias, current, custom, disposition, drift, habit, impulse, inclining, leaning, liability, mind, mindset*, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity …   New thesaurus

  • tendency — I noun aptitude, aptness, bearing, bent, bias, character, direction, disposition, facility, gift, gravitation, idiosyncrasy, inclinatio, inclination, instinct, leaning, natural disposition, nature, partiality, penchant, predisposition, prejudice …   Law dictionary

  • tendency — 1620s, from M.L. tendentia inclination, leaning, from L. tendens, prp. of tendere to stretch, aim (see TENET (Cf. tenet)). Earlier in same sense was tendaunce (mid 15c.), from O.Fr. tendance …   Etymology dictionary

  • tendency — ► NOUN (pl. tendencies) 1) an inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour. 2) a group within a larger political party or movement …   English terms dictionary

  • Tendency — The word tendency is often used by left wing groups for an organized unit or political faction within the group. It may also refer to:* Bleeding tendency * Central tendency * Debs Tendency * Direct Action Tendency * Fist and Rose Tendency *… …   Wikipedia

  • tendency — ten|den|cy W3S3 [ˈtendənsi] n plural tendencies [Date: 1600 1700; : Medieval Latin; Origin: tendentia, from Latin tendere; TEND] 1.) if someone or something has a tendency to do or become a particular thing, they are likely to do or become it a… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tendency — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ clear, great, marked, pronounced, strong ▪ slight ▪ greater, growing, increased …   Collocations dictionary

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