but tended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but tended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a contrast or exception in a statement, often following a description of a general tendency or behavior. Example: "She was usually very organized, but tended to forget important dates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

but tended to be on a larger scale.

The New York Times

Opinions were divided but tended to favour destruction.

Independent

Entrees looked tantalizing, but tended to be disappointing.

The New York Times

Makiya returned, too, but tended to stay away from politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

Camilla Nylund, as Elisabeth, had spells of quiet, quivering intensity, but tended flat.

The New Yorker

The orchestra ensemble was reasonably in tune but tended to sag later in the day.

The New York Times - Arts

That model worked in some small towns like Crested Butte, Colo., but tended to collapse quickly in urban environments.

The New York Times

It won five Oscars but tended to give the impression that the Welsh spent more time singing than digging coal.

Independent

Those he painted were not royal, biblical or mythological, but tended to be his contemporaries and near equals.

The New York Times - Arts

After BP he held senior positions in other concerns, notably Railtrack, but tended to become embroiled in boardroom battles.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

EMS providers performed well but tended to overestimate the NIHSS of sicker patients.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but tended" to introduce a qualification or contrast to a general statement, showing a nuanced relationship between two ideas. For example, "The results were promising, but tended to be inconsistent across different trials."

Common error

Avoid using "but tended" excessively in formal contexts. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less impactful. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "however", "nevertheless", or "yet" to maintain a more engaging and sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but tended" functions as a conjunctive phrase, linking two clauses while indicating a contrast or qualification. It highlights an exception or a deviation from a general pattern. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but tended" serves as a useful tool for introducing contrasts or qualifications in your writing. While deemed grammatically sound by Ludwig, its frequency and authoritative source distribution suggest it's most appropriate for neutral to slightly formal contexts. Remember that "but tended" can be replaced by other options such as ""however leaned"" or ""though inclined"" to inject more stylistic variation in one's writting. Overuse of "but tended" should be avoided, especially in formal contexts, where stronger conjunctions may be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however leaned

Replaces "but tended" with "however leaned", which shifts the tone slightly toward a formal register and implies a direction or inclination.

yet leaned towards

Expresses a similar meaning to "but tended", indicating a direction or inclination despite a preceding statement.

still inclined

Similar to "though inclined", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the continued inclination despite a contrast.

though inclined

Substitutes "but tended" with "though inclined", emphasizing a predisposition or preference despite a preceding statement.

yet gravitated

Replaces "but tended" with "yet gravitated", suggesting a pull or attraction toward a particular outcome or situation.

nonetheless gravitated

Similar to "yet gravitated", but with a slightly more formal tone due to the use of "nonetheless".

instead favored

Changes "but tended" to "instead favored", indicating a deliberate preference or choice in contrast to what might be expected.

conversely favored

Replaces "but tended" with "conversely favored", which emphasizes the contrast by indicating an opposite preference.

however, it often

The use of 'however, it often' suggests a recurring action or event, providing a slight difference in emphasis compared to 'but tended'.

nevertheless swayed

Replaces "but tended" with "nevertheless swayed", highlighting an influence or persuasion that leads to a specific direction.

FAQs

How can I use "but tended" in a sentence?

Use "but tended" to introduce a contrast or exception to a general trend or characteristic. For instance, "The software was user-friendly, but tended to crash when processing large files."

What are some alternatives to "but tended"?

You can use alternatives such as "however leaned", "though inclined", or "yet gravitated" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "but tended" in formal writing?

While "but tended" is grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using stronger conjunctions like "however" or "nevertheless" for a more impactful effect.

What's the difference between "but tended" and "but usually"?

"But tended" suggests a general inclination or direction, while "but usually" implies a customary or habitual action. For example, "He was skilled, but tended to procrastinate" suggests a general tendency, whereas "He was skilled, but usually finished on time" describes a typical behavior.