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Propensity to vs. Propensity for

  • 15-01-2013 03:41PM
    #1
    Da Shins Kelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭


    Which is correct? Or are they both correct in different instances? For example, would you say 'he has a propensity for violence' or 'he has a propensity to violence'?


Comments

  • #2
    Yakuza
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,130 ✭✭✭Yakuza


    Without looking it up, my gut would say use "for" with nouns and "to" with verbs.

    e.g. - 'he has a propensity for violence' but 'he has a propensity to act in a violent way'


  • #3
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 36,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Sounds about right, although one usually has a tendency towards violence.


  • #4
    who_me
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,669 ✭✭✭who_me


    Yakuza wrote: »
    Without looking it up, my gut would say use "for" with nouns and "to" with verbs.

    e.g. - 'he has a propensity for violence' but 'he has a propensity to act in a violent way'

    You probably could use a verb with both, I'd imagine; but can only use "for" with nouns.

    "propensity to do..."
    "propensity for doing..."


  • #5
    Da Shins Kelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭Da Shins Kelly


    Yakuza wrote: »
    Without looking it up, my gut would say use "for" with nouns and "to" with verbs.

    e.g. - 'he has a propensity for violence' but 'he has a propensity to act in a violent way'

    This is what I thought initially. I think I just ended up over-thinking it, which just makes it more confusing! I always get mixed up with little grammar things like this and then the more I try to think it out, the more confused I get!


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