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Preposition after adjective

Inclined to or inclined towards

Both inclined to and inclined towards are standard, but they are used differently in English.

Quick answer

What is the difference between inclined to and inclined towards?

Inclined to is commonly used before a verb or opinion to show a tendency or preference. Inclined towards is used mainly before a noun to show preference, attraction, or direction.

I am inclined to agree with you.
She feels inclined towards a career in science.
They were inclined to support the proposal.
He seems inclined towards traditional methods.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
inclined to + verb

Expressing a tendency or willingness

Use inclined to before a base verb to describe behaviour or opinions.

We are inclined to trust experienced staff.
2
inclined to + noun

Expressing a preference or opinion

Inclined to can also introduce an opinion or attitude.

She is inclined to optimism.
3
inclined towards + noun

Showing preference or attraction

Use inclined towards mainly before nouns and noun phrases.

The committee is inclined towards a cautious approach.
4
inclined towards + field or style

Describing natural preference

This structure is common for interests, tastes, and directions.

He is inclined towards modern architecture.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
inclined to
I am inclined to believe her story.
Shows a tendency, opinion, or willingness, often before a verb.
inclined towards
She is inclined towards creative work.
Shows preference or attraction, usually before a noun.
inclined toward
The market is inclined toward caution.
Toward is a common variant of towards, especially in American English.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using towards before a verb

Inclined towards is usually followed by a noun, not directly by a verb.

✕ She is inclined towards agree with him. ✓ She is inclined to agree with him.

Using an infinitive after towards

Towards is not normally followed by to + verb in this pattern.

✕ They are inclined towards to invest early. ✓ They are inclined to invest early.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. I am inclined ___ accept the offer.
2. She is inclined towards ___ careers.
3. Choose the correct sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

Are inclined to and inclined towards both correct?

Yes, but they are used in different grammatical patterns.

Can inclined towards be followed by a verb?

Not usually. Use inclined to before a verb.

Is toward different from towards?

They have the same meaning. Toward is more common in American English.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? ignorant of, about, to, in or on? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in?

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