Tendency vs. Tendancy — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
The correct spelling is "Tendency," while the incorrect version is "Tendancy." Tendency is a noun that describes a predisposition or inclination to act in a certain way.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Tendency or Tendancy
How to spell Tendency?
Tendency
Correct Spelling
Tendancy
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember that "ency" is a common suffix in English, like in "agency" or "efficiency."
Write it down multiple times to muscle-memorize the correct spelling.
Keep in mind the root word "tend" and add "-ency" to form "Tendency."
Think of the word "tender" and note that it has the same spelling structure at the beginning.
Pronounce it as "ten-den-cy" to emphasize the correct spelling segments.
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How Do You Spell Tendancy Correctly?
Incorrect: The company has a tendancy to hire from within.
Correct: The company has a tendency to hire from within.
Incorrect: There's a tendancy for people to resist change.
Correct: There's a tendency for people to resist change.
Incorrect: He showed a tendancy to avoid confrontation.
Correct: He showed a tendency to avoid confrontation.
Incorrect: This plant has a tendancy to grow in the shade.
Correct: This plant has a tendency to grow in the shade.
Incorrect: She has a tendancy to speak quickly when nervous.
Correct: She has a tendency to speak quickly when nervous.
Tendency Definitions
Tendency refers to a leaning or inclination toward a particular type of behavior or action.
He has a tendency to procrastinate.
Tendency means a predisposition to think or feel a particular way.
She has a tendency to be optimistic.
Tendency refers to the habitual course of action or usual manner of a person or thing.
His tendency to speak before thinking gets him into trouble.
Tendency can indicate a statistical trend or common outcome.
There's a tendency for stocks to rise after a dip.
Tendency can describe the characteristic direction of something's development.
There is a growing tendency to work remotely.
An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour
For students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings
Criminal tendencies
A characteristic likelihood
Fabric that has a tendency to wrinkle.
A predisposition to think, act, or proceed in a particular way
His tendency to exaggerate.
A characteristic pattern or point of view
The book's tendency to oversimplify events.
Movement or prevailing movement in a given direction
Observed the tendency of the wind.
The shoreward tendency of the current.
A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward.
Denim has a tendency to fade.
I have a tendency to get bored after the first half an hour of a movie.
There's a common tendency among first-game visitors to a casino to bet overcautiously.
(politics) An organised unit or faction within a larger political organisation.
Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result.
Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country.
In every experimental science, there is a tendency toward perfection.
An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others;
He had an inclination to give up too easily
A tendency to be too strict
An inclination to do something;
He felt leanings toward frivolity
A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect;
The alkaline inclination of the local waters
Fabric with a tendency to shrink
A general direction in which something tends to move;
The shoreward tendency of the current
The trend of the stock market
Tendency Meaning in a Sentence
Children have a tendency to ask a lot of questions.
There is a tendency for traffic to increase on Fridays.
There's a tendency to overeat during the holidays.
He has a tendency to forget his keys.
Many people have a tendency to procrastinate.
Cats have a tendency to land on their feet.
She has a tendency to be late to meetings.
She has a tendency to laugh in serious situations.
He has a tendency to sing in the shower.
The market has a tendency to fluctuate.
The weather has a tendency to change quickly in the mountains.
The car has a tendency to drift to the left.
Teenagers have a tendency to sleep late on weekends.
Students have a tendency to cram for exams.
Young plants have a tendency to need more water.
There is a tendency to rely on technology for everything.
People have a tendency to gather in groups.
She has a tendency to doodle while on the phone.
There's a tendency for people to stay indoors when it's cold.
She has a tendency to bite her nails when anxious.
Dogs have a tendency to follow their owners everywhere.
There is a tendency to use smartphones excessively.
He has a tendency to mumble when he speaks.
There's a tendency for songs to get stuck in your head.
He has a tendency to forget birthdays.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Tendency?
Tend.
What is the root word of Tendency?
Tend.
Why is it called Tendency?
Derived from the verb "tend," it captures the idea of inclination or predisposition.
What is the singular form of Tendency?
Tendency.
What is the pronunciation of Tendency?
/ˈtɛn.dən.si/
Which vowel is used before Tendency?
Typically "a," as in "a tendency."
Which preposition is used with Tendency?
"To," as in "tendency to do something."
Is Tendency an abstract noun?
Yes.
What is the plural form of Tendency?
Tendencies.
Which conjunction is used with Tendency?
"And," as in "tendency and inclination."
Is Tendency a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Is Tendency a countable noun?
Yes.
How do we divide Tendency into syllables?
Ten-den-cy.
What part of speech is Tendency?
Noun.
What is the opposite of Tendency?
Aversion.
Is Tendency an adverb?
No.
Is Tendency a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
What is a stressed syllable in Tendency?
The first syllable, "ten."
Which determiner is used with Tendency?
"The" or "a."
Which article is used with Tendency?
"The" or "a," depending on context.
How many syllables are in Tendency?
Three syllables.
How is Tendency used in a sentence?
"She has a tendency to be late."
Is the Tendency term a metaphor?
No.
Is the word Tendency imperative?
No.
Is the word "Tendency" a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence structure.
Is Tendency a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is Tendency a collective noun?
No.
Is the word Tendency a gerund?
No.
What is another term for Tendency?
Inclination.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.