趋势

Prices are on the upward/downward trend. / Prices show a rising/falling tendency. / Prices have an inclination to go up/down. / Prices tend to go up/down.

Business is showing a tendency to improve.

The nation's general direction is downhill.

The rise in violent crime is a disturbing new trend/tendency.

general trend/tendency/drift

trend of modern living

future trend

tendency of society

economic/political trend

contemporary trends in education

drift towards urbanization

inexorable/inevitable trend

stop the drift towards war

give a broad view of the trends in the teaching of foreign languages; make a broad survey of the trends in the teaching of foreign languages

curb/check one's inclination to stoutness; repress a tendency towards stoutness

keep abreast of the current tendency; track the current tendency; understand the current tendency

demonstrate/display/exhibit/show a tendency