There is a tendency to
Hedging expression to soften claims
Use this phrase to point out a pattern or habit without sounding like you are blaming someone.
15秒でわかる
- A polite way to describe common habits or patterns.
- Softens a claim to avoid sounding too aggressive or direct.
- Commonly used in professional, academic, or diplomatic settings.
意味
This phrase is a polite way to say that something often happens without being 100% sure. It helps you talk about patterns or habits without sounding like you are judging or blaming someone directly.
主な例文
3 / 6Discussing office habits
There is a tendency to skip lunch when we are busy.
People often skip lunch when they are busy.
Talking about a personal flaw
There is a tendency to overthink things when I'm tired.
I usually overthink things when I'm tired.
A formal business report
There is a tendency for prices to rise in the fourth quarter.
Prices usually go up at the end of the year.
文化的背景
This expression is a hallmark of 'hedging' in English-speaking cultures, where directness can sometimes be perceived as aggressive or arrogant. It became a staple of social science and business English in the mid-20th century to allow for generalizations that acknowledge exceptions. It reflects a cultural preference for nuance over absolute certainty.
The 'Softener' Secret
Use this phrase when you have to tell someone something they might not want to hear. It feels less like a personal attack.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like you are hiding something or are afraid to take a stand.
15秒でわかる
- A polite way to describe common habits or patterns.
- Softens a claim to avoid sounding too aggressive or direct.
- Commonly used in professional, academic, or diplomatic settings.
What It Means
There is a tendency to is your best friend for being diplomatic. It means 'people often do this' or 'this usually happens.' Instead of saying 'You always forget your keys,' you say 'There is a tendency to forget keys.' It moves the focus from a specific person to a general pattern. It makes your statement feel like a scientific observation rather than an attack.
How To Use It
Use this phrase followed by a verb in its infinitive form (starting with to). You can use it to describe human behavior, market trends, or even your own bad habits. It works perfectly when you want to sound objective. For example, There is a tendency to overspend during the holidays. It sounds much softer than saying Everyone spends too much money. It’s like putting a velvet glove over a hard truth.
When To Use It
You will hear this constantly in office meetings or academic papers. It is perfect for giving feedback without hurting feelings. Use it when discussing data or general observations about a group. It’s also great for self-reflection when you want to sound a bit more sophisticated. Think of it as the 'polite adult' version of saying 'usually.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for urgent, life-or-death situations. If a kitchen is on fire, don't say There is a tendency for grease to burn. Just yell! Also, avoid it in very raw, emotional heart-to-hearts with a partner. It can sound a bit too cold or clinical. If you use it while arguing about chores, you might sound like a robot trying to win a debate.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and North America, love 'hedging.' This is the art of not being too direct to avoid conflict. We often avoid saying 'This is a fact.' Instead, we prefer 'This seems to be a pattern.' It reflects a cultural value of politeness and intellectual humility. It shows you are open to being wrong, which people generally respect.
Common Variations
If you want to change the intensity, you have options. You can say There is a strong tendency to if you are quite sure. Or use There is a slight tendency to if the pattern is weak. You might also hear People have a tendency to or The market has a tendency to. These all perform the same magic trick of softening your claim.
使い方のコツ
This is a high-level (C1) expression. It is most at home in formal writing or professional speech. Avoid using it in high-energy, casual slang-filled conversations as it will sound out of place.
The 'Softener' Secret
Use this phrase when you have to tell someone something they might not want to hear. It feels less like a personal attack.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like you are hiding something or are afraid to take a stand.
The British 'Understatement'
In the UK, this phrase is often used to describe something that is actually a huge, glaring problem, but they want to remain 'proper'.
例文
6There is a tendency to skip lunch when we are busy.
People often skip lunch when they are busy.
Softens the observation about the team's health habits.
There is a tendency to overthink things when I'm tired.
I usually overthink things when I'm tired.
Makes a personal confession sound more like a psychological fact.
There is a tendency for prices to rise in the fourth quarter.
Prices usually go up at the end of the year.
Sounds objective and data-driven.
There is a tendency for that group to arrive fashionably late.
Those guys usually show up late.
Adds a bit of sophisticated humor to a casual observation.
There is a tendency for cats to sit on exactly what you are reading.
Cats always sit on your book.
Uses formal language to describe a funny, common annoyance.
There is a tendency to stop listening when we get defensive.
We often stop listening when we feel attacked.
Used to discuss a sensitive topic without pointing fingers.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct word to complete the diplomatic observation.
There is a ___ to underestimate how long the commute takes.
The phrase 'There is a tendency to' is the standard construction for making a general observation.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb form.
There is a tendency ___ (ignore) the warning signs.
The phrase is always followed by the 'to + verb' (infinitive) form.
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Formality Spectrum of Generalizing
Direct and blunt
People always do this.
Common and simple
People usually do this.
Diplomatic and objective
There is a tendency to do this.
Where to use 'There is a tendency to'
Performance Review
There is a tendency to rush tasks.
Scientific Study
There is a tendency for cells to react.
Giving Advice
There is a tendency to worry too much.
Market Analysis
There is a tendency for stocks to dip.
よくある質問
10 問Yes, the core meaning is similar, but There is a tendency to is much more formal and objective. It sounds like you are observing a pattern rather than just stating a habit.
Absolutely! You can say I have a tendency to... or There is a tendency for me to... It makes your own habits sound more like interesting personality traits.
Not necessarily, but it is often used for negative patterns because those are the ones we need to be diplomatic about. You can say There is a tendency to be very generous in this town.
A tendency is a person's or group's inclination to behave a certain way. A trend is the general direction in which something is developing or changing over time.
You can add adjectives like strong, marked, or clear. For example, There is a strong tendency to avoid difficult conversations.
You can, but it might sound a bit 'extra' or dramatic. It’s better for when you are being slightly sarcastic or very serious with a friend.
No, that is a common mistake. You should use There is a tendency to [verb] or There is a tendency for [noun] to [verb].
Using There is a tendency to removes the subject (people), which makes the statement sound more like an impartial observation. This is very useful in professional writing.
Yes, it is very common in both American and British English, particularly in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts.
There isn't a direct opposite phrase, but you might say It is rare to... or There is no evidence of a pattern to...
関連フレーズ
To be prone to
To be likely to suffer from or experience something (often negative).
To have an inclination to
To have a natural feeling or urge to act in a certain way.
More often than not
Used to say that something happens most of the time.
To be apt to
To have a natural tendency to do something (often used for habits).
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