ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tended

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtɛndɪd// UK //tˈɛndɪd// tend·ed

v. to usually do something or be a certain way. You use this when describing a habit or a common pattern that happens most of the time.

v. to exhibit a particular characteristic or behave in a specific way with regularity. Often used to describe statistical likelihoods or habitual actions.


SIMPLE

I have always tended to wake up early on weekends.

CONTEXTUAL

In the past, people tended to stay in the same job for their entire career.

COMPLEX

While the data suggests that prices have tended to rise in the second quarter, seasonal fluctuations remain unpredictable due to shifting consumer demand.

Synonyms
Usage

Intransitive when followed by an infinitive with 'to'; transitive when meaning 'to care for' (e.g., 'tended the garden').

Pitfall

he tended to goinghe tended to goWhen expressing a habit, this verb must be followed by a to-infinitive, not a gerund.

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