it tends not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it tends not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a general tendency or pattern of behavior that is not common or frequent. Example: "In this region, it tends not to rain during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

We can measure it differently than by its point-to-point efficiency, where it tends not to excel, but by its access to the wondrous, where it is priceless.

Huffington Post

On the rare occasions when a high threshold ant is active, it tends not to move very near its low threshold nestmates (Figure 11).

Plosone

Taxes that all its workers pay, and that, it emerged in 2012, it tends not to pay.

The Guardian - Tech

It tends not to last.

The New York Times - Arts

It tends not to focus on life.

Independent

"If it's not your default option, it tends not to happen," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"It tended not to be as great a decline in the northern New Jersey tracks, but it still hurt them somewhat".

The New York Times

After all, it was often said that England sides in the '90s could kick on from the odd victory - but it tended not to lead to greater things, especially in Ashes series.

Independent

It tended not to reject the clock when the strict model performed well (i.e., when σ < 0.2) and almost invariably rejected the clock when the strict clock model performed poorly (σ > 0.2).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The impact of DES on QoL was rather underestimated because it tended not to be a common cause of permanent visual morbidity compared with other ocular diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

BMC Ophthalmology

I never like it when a celebrity goes on Twitter and says, 'This isn't true!' It is what it is; I tend not to do that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it tends not" to express a general observation about something that is less likely to occur or be true. For example, "In coastal areas, it tends not to snow heavily during the winter."

Common error

Avoid using "it tends not" when referring to a specific instance or situation where the outcome is already known. Overusing it can dilute the strength of the statement and make it sound less precise. For example, instead of saying "It tends not to rain today" when the forecast clearly indicates rain, opt for a more definitive statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it tends not" functions as a qualifying statement, indicating a common but not absolute lack of inclination or frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatical and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it tends not" is a versatile phrase used to express a general lack of inclination or frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "it usually doesn't" or "it rarely happens" exist, the phrase strikes a balance between informality and precision. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and consider the specific context to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it usually doesn't

Emphasizes the typical absence of something.

it generally doesn't

Highlights the general absence of an occurrence.

it rarely happens

Stresses the infrequency of an event.

it seldom occurs

Focuses on the rarity of something taking place.

it's not common

Indicates the lack of typicality.

it's unusual

Highlights the atypical nature of an event.

it's atypical

Emphasizes the divergence from the norm.

it's an exception

Identifies something as a deviation from the rule.

it's out of the ordinary

Stresses the uncommon nature of an event.

it's not the norm

Highlights that something isn't standard practice.

FAQs

How can I use "it tends not" in a sentence?

Use "it tends not" to express a general tendency or expectation that something is unlikely to happen. For instance, "This type of plant it tends not to thrive in direct sunlight."

What are some alternatives to "it tends not"?

You can use alternatives like "it usually doesn't", "it rarely happens", or "it's not common" to express similar meanings.

Is "it tends not to" formal or informal?

"It tends not to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might prefer alternatives like "it is unlikely to".

What is the difference between "it tends not to" and "it does not tend to"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it tends not to" is more common and flows more naturally in most contexts. "It does not tend to" is grammatically correct but can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.