inclination
C1Formal, but common in educated speech and writing across registers.
Definition
Meaning
A natural tendency or preference to think, feel, or act in a particular way; a leaning.
1. The angle at which something slopes or deviates from the vertical or horizontal. 2. A feeling of liking or attraction toward something or someone. 3. In geometry/astronomy, the angle between a plane or line and a reference plane (e.g., orbital inclination).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often implies a natural, internal, or inherent tendency rather than a deliberate choice. It can describe both physical angles and metaphorical/psychological leanings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant meaning differences. Spelling and some collocational preferences may vary.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and less frequent than 'tendency' in everyday American speech.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with perhaps slightly higher use in British academic/professional contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
inclination to do somethinginclination for somethinginclination towards/toward somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Follow one's own inclination(s)”
- “Against one's inclination”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market trends or a company's strategic direction (e.g., 'an inclination towards sustainable investments').
Academic
Used in psychology for personality traits, in physics/engineering for angles, in sociology for social trends.
Everyday
Describing personal preferences or natural tendencies (e.g., 'I have no inclination to go out tonight').
Technical
Specific meaning in geometry, astronomy, and mechanics as a measured angle of slope or orbital tilt.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She did not incline to share her private thoughts.
- The data inclines us towards a different conclusion.
American English
- He doesn't incline to believe rumours.
- The evidence inclines me to think she's innocent.
adverb
British English
- She nodded inclinedly, showing polite agreement.
- The tower leans inclinedly to the south.
American English
- He listened inclinedly, showing he was persuaded.
- The data points inclinedly towards the predicted outcome.
adjective
British English
- The inclined plane made the push easier.
- He was favourably inclined to the proposal.
American English
- The ramp was steeply inclined.
- I'm inclined to agree with you on that point.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has an inclination to be late.
- The shelf has a slight inclination.
- She showed no inclination to help us.
- My natural inclination is to trust people.
- Despite his artistic inclinations, he pursued a career in finance.
- The political inclinations of the region are shifting.
- Her research reflects a clear inclination towards post-structuralist theory.
- The orbital inclination of the satellite is precisely 98 degrees.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INCLINE + ACTION. An INCLINATION is like an inner slope that inclines you toward a certain action.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/PREFERENCES ARE PHYSICAL DIRECTIONS (a leaning, a tilt, a slope).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'наклонение' (mood/grammatical mood).
- Do not overuse for simple 'desire' or 'wish' (желание). 'Inclination' implies a deeper, more persistent tendency.
- The Russian 'склонность' is a close equivalent, but 'inclination' is more formal.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'to' instead of 'for' after inclination (correct: 'an inclination for art', not typically 'an inclination to art').
- Confusing 'inclination' (tendency) with 'inclining' (the act of leaning).
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'decision' or 'plan'.
Practice
Quiz
In a technical context, 'inclination' most precisely means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An intention is a conscious plan or aim. An inclination is a natural tendency or leaning, which may or may not lead to a formed intention.
Yes. It is neutral. 'A charitable inclination' is positive, while 'an inclination towards violence' is negative. The context provides the value.
They are very close synonyms. 'Inclination' often carries a stronger sense of an internal, inherent leaning, while 'tendency' can be more neutral and observational. 'Inclination' is also slightly more formal.
The most common patterns are: 'an inclination to do something' (She has an inclination to interrupt), 'an inclination for something' (an inclination for maths), and 'an inclination towards/toward something' (an inclination towards pessimism).