Words / C1

pr-uh-PENS-uh-tee/prəˈpensəti/

A propensity is a natural tendency to behave in a particular way: a propensity to interrupt. Tendency is the everyday cousin; habit can be learned. Pattern: a propensity to + verb / for + noun. It is slightly formal and often mildly critical. In speech, he tends to is almost always better. Do not use it for a one-off action.

Meaning

A natural tendency to behave in a particular way.

Examples

• “He has a propensity to talk too fast in exams.”
• “The software has a propensity to freeze when the file is large.”
• “She has a propensity for last-minute changes.”

Good to know

a propensity to + verb / for + noun. Formal for tendency. Everyday: tend to. Often slightly critical.

Near in meaning

tendency

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