ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tends

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtɛndz// UK //tˈɛndz// tends

v. to be likely to behave in a certain way or happen in a particular way. You use this when something usually happens but not always.

v. to exhibit a regular tendency or inclination toward a specific behavior or outcome. Often functions as a catenative verb followed by a to-infinitive.


SIMPLE

The weather tends to get much colder in October.

CONTEXTUAL

Our manager tends to be very quiet during meetings, but she always listens carefully to every suggestion.

COMPLEX

Research suggests that while the younger demographic tends toward digital media consumption, older generations still maintain a significant preference for physical newspapers and traditional broadcasts.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is intransitive when followed by a to-infinitive; it can also take the preposition 'toward' or 'towards' followed by a noun phrase.

Pitfall

He tends doing his work late.He tends to do his work late.Tends must be followed by a to-infinitive, not a gerund (-ing form).

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