tendency

Everyday

1. If you have a tendency to do something, you often do it or are likely to do it. tree →
2. A general direction in which something is changing or moving; a trend. tree →
3. (maths) «Central tendency»: the middle or typical value of a set of data (mean, median, mode). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday speech: «He has a tendency to forget his PE kit.» In science, «metals have a tendency to rust». In maths and statistics, measures of central tendency are the mean, median and mode. Phrases: «a tendency to», «natural tendency», «central tendency».

Examples

• He has a tendency to talk too fast when he is nervous. tree →
• Cats have a tendency to sleep a lot. tree →
• Prices have a tendency to rise every year. tree →
• The mean, median and mode are measures of central tendency. tree →
• Iron has a tendency to rust when it gets wet. tree →
• There is a tendency for children to eat more sweets at Halloween. tree →
• Evil tendencies are shown in early life. tree →

Note

Plural «tendencies». Verb «tend» (to tend to = to usually do). Followed by «to» + verb: a tendency to forget. Maths: central tendency = average-type values.

Meaning