it lends itself to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lends itself to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express the idea that something is suitable for a particular purpose, and can be used in the following way: "The size of the room lends itself to larger gatherings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And although a rotisserie chicken is great served on its own, it lends itself to so many dinner options.

Los Angeles Times

"It's so rich, so full of ideas - its beauty is that it lends itself to so much examination and rexamination... "...

The Guardian - Books

It lends itself to overthinking.

The New Yorker

"It lends itself to bile-fuelled solipsism".

Independent

It lends itself to rumination.

The Guardian - Travel

It lends itself to pitching and defense".

The New York Times - Sports

"It lends itself to arbitrary treatment.

The New York Times

It lends itself to reharmonising and reclaiming, it lends itself to jazz.

The Guardian

"It lends itself to this type of word play".

The New York Times

It lends itself to passion, base instincts, impulsive bravado".

The Guardian

Sadly, it lends itself to people who are unhappy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it lends itself to" to highlight the natural fit or compatibility between a subject and a potential outcome or application. For example, “The open-ended nature of the project lends itself to creative solutions.”

Common error

While versatile, "it lends itself to" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal writing, consider stronger, more direct verbs like 'facilitates', 'enables', or 'promotes' to convey a more assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lends itself to" functions as a connector, indicating that a particular quality or characteristic of a subject makes it suitable or adaptable for something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Arts

5%

Books

3%

Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it lends itself to" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to denote suitability or compatibility between a subject and a potential outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is common in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to be mindful of the tone and opt for stronger verbs in very formal settings. Remember to use this phrase when highlighting a natural inclination or fitness, and avoid overuse in highly formal writing for better clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lends itself towards

Similar meaning, but sounds less firm than original.

it is well-suited for

Highlights a strong match or compatibility.

it is adaptable to

Focuses on the ability to change to fit new conditions.

it is conducive to

Focuses on creating a favorable condition or outcome.

it is appropriate for

Highlights the suitability for a specific context.

it is amenable to

Emphasizes openness and receptiveness.

it contributes to

Emphasizes the role in achieving a larger result.

it facilitates

Focuses on making something easier or more likely to happen.

it is inclined to

Indicates a natural tendency or predisposition.

it promotes

Highlights the encouragement of a certain action or result.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it lends itself to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it facilitates", "it enables", or "it promotes". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of "The design lends itself to easy modification", you could say "The design facilitates easy modification".

What does "it lends itself to" imply about the relationship between two things?

The phrase implies a natural suitability or compatibility. It suggests that one thing is inherently suited to another, making it a good fit or a likely outcome. Think of it as something naturally inclining towards a particular result. For example, "The flexible curriculum lends itself to personalized learning experiences" suggests the curriculum is inherently well-suited for personalization.

Is "it lends itself to" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, but use it judiciously. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less formal than other options. Evaluate whether alternatives like "it is conducive to" or "it facilitates" might be more appropriate for your specific context.

How can I use "it lends itself to" in a sentence?

Use "it lends itself to" when you want to express that something is naturally suited for a particular purpose or outcome. For example, you might say, "The versatile nature of the software lends itself to various applications", indicating the software is well-suited for different uses.