Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and looking to enhance your grammar skills? Understanding and using the phrase “Be Inclined To + Noun/verb” correctly can significantly improve your language proficiency and boost your IELTS score. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the meaning, usage, and common pitfalls of this expression, providing you with valuable insights to excel in your IELTS journey.
Understanding “Be Inclined to + Noun/Verb”
The phrase “be inclined to + noun/verb” is a useful expression that appears frequently in IELTS exams, particularly in the Writing and Speaking sections. It is used to express a tendency, preference, or likelihood of doing something or possessing a certain quality.
IELTS Exam Preparation
Meaning and Usage
When we say someone is “inclined to” do something or have a particular trait, we mean they have a natural tendency or disposition towards it. This expression is more formal than saying “tend to” and is often used in academic or professional contexts, making it particularly suitable for IELTS.
Examples:
- “Scientists are inclined to be skeptical of new theories without substantial evidence.”
- “Many young people are inclined to spend more time on social media than on face-to-face interactions.”
- “Introverts are often inclined to avoid large social gatherings.”
- “The company is inclined to invest in renewable energy sources.”
- “Some students are inclined to procrastinate when faced with challenging assignments.”
In each of these examples, “be inclined to” is followed by either a verb (spend, avoid, invest, procrastinate) or an adjective (skeptical). The phrase indicates a general tendency or likelihood rather than a definite action or state.
Grammar and Structure
The correct structure for using this phrase is:
[Subject] + [be] + inclined + to + [base form of verb/noun]
It’s important to note that the verb following “to” should always be in its base form, regardless of the tense of the main verb.
Examples in Different Tenses:
- Present Simple: “She is inclined to worry about small details.”
- Past Simple: “They were inclined to agree with the proposal.”
- Present Perfect: “He has been inclined to overreact in stressful situations.”
- Future with ‘will’: “I think the committee will be inclined to approve the budget.”
- Present Continuous: “The market is currently being inclined to favor renewable energy stocks.”
Applying “Be Inclined to” in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing Task 2, using “be inclined to” can help you express ideas about tendencies or preferences in a more sophisticated manner. This can contribute to a higher score in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy criteria.
Sample Paragraph for IELTS Writing Task 2:
Topic: The impact of technology on human relationships
“In the digital age, people are increasingly inclined to rely on technology for communication. While this trend has made long-distance connections easier to maintain, it has also led to a situation where individuals are inclined to neglect face-to-face interactions. Moreover, younger generations seem to be inclined to develop shorter attention spans due to the constant influx of information from various digital platforms. However, it would be overly simplistic to claim that technology only has negative effects on relationships. Many people are inclined to use social media and messaging apps to strengthen their existing bonds and form new connections, demonstrating that the impact of technology on human relationships is multifaceted and complex.”
In this paragraph, the phrase “be inclined to” is used multiple times to discuss tendencies and preferences related to technology use and its impact on relationships. This demonstrates a good command of vocabulary and grammatical structures, which is crucial for achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing.
IELTS Writing Task
Using “Be Inclined to” in IELTS Speaking
Incorporating “be inclined to” in your IELTS Speaking responses can showcase your ability to use advanced vocabulary and complex grammatical structures. This can help you achieve a higher band score in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy criteria.
Sample Responses for IELTS Speaking:
Question: How do you think people’s work habits might change in the future?
Response: “I believe that in the future, people will be more inclined to work remotely. With advancements in technology, many professionals are inclined to prefer flexible working arrangements. This shift might lead to a situation where companies are inclined to offer more work-from-home options to attract and retain talent. However, some industries may still be inclined to maintain traditional office setups, especially those that require frequent face-to-face interactions or specialized equipment.”
In this response, the candidate uses “be inclined to” multiple times to discuss trends and preferences in future work habits. This demonstrates a good range of vocabulary and the ability to use complex grammatical structures accurately.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When using “be inclined to,” IELTS candidates often make certain errors. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Incorrect verb form:
- Incorrect: “She is inclined to reading books.”
- Correct: “She is inclined to read books.”
Using “of” instead of “to”:
- Incorrect: “They are inclined of accepting the offer.”
- Correct: “They are inclined to accept the offer.”
Confusing with “inclined towards”:
- While “inclined towards” is grammatically correct, it’s used more with nouns than verbs.
- Example: “He is inclined towards science” (correct)
- But: “He is inclined to study science” (preferred in IELTS context)
Overuse:
- While it’s good to show range, using “be inclined to” too frequently in a single response or essay can seem repetitive. Aim for variety in your language use.
Incorrect subject-verb agreement:
- Incorrect: “The team are inclined to agree.”
- Correct: “The team is inclined to agree.” (treating ‘team’ as a singular entity)
By being aware of these common errors, you can ensure that you use “be inclined to” correctly and effectively in your IELTS exam.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “be inclined to + noun/verb” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. This phrase allows you to express tendencies and preferences in a sophisticated manner, which is particularly valuable in the Writing and Speaking sections. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts and tenses to become more comfortable with it.
As you continue your IELTS preparation, you might encounter similar phrases such as “tend to,” “be prone to,” or “have a propensity for.” These expressions can also be useful alternatives to “be inclined to” and are worth incorporating into your language repertoire. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself naturally including these advanced structures in your English usage, both in the IELTS exam and in real-life situations.
