it tends to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"it tends to be" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is generally or usually the case. For example, "It tends to be the case that when people are stressed, they become more emotional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It tends to be contagious.

The New York Times - Sports

"It tends to be between industry titans".

The New York Times

It tends to be low.

The Guardian

So it tends to be closely held.

The Washington Post

It tends to be more generally worded.

The New York Times

"It tends to be narrative and representational.

The New York Times - Arts

It tends to be a guy thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

It tends to be big and unwieldy.

The New York Times

It tends to be the hardest part.

The New York Times - Books

"It tends to be weedily unsystematic.

The Guardian

So, it tends to be a project for wealthy people.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it tends to be" to express a general observation or common characteristic, providing context or examples to support your statement. This strengthens the credibility of your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "it tends to be" without providing any supporting evidence or context, which can weaken your argument. Instead, offer specific examples or data to illustrate your point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it tends to be" serves as a qualifying statement, indicating a general tendency or common characteristic rather than an absolute truth. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct. It introduces a degree of probability or expectation, allowing for exceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

21%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it tends to be" is a versatile phrase used to express general tendencies or common characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It's important to provide context and evidence to support statements made using this phrase, avoiding overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "it is generally the case" or "it usually happens" can be used depending on the level of formality desired. Remember that using qualifiers such as "it tends to be" enhances communication by providing detail. This allows for a more descriptive and accurate depiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is generally the case

Replaces "tends" with "generally", focusing on the overall pattern or usual situation.

it is usually the situation

Focuses on "usually" to indicate a common scenario.

it is often the situation

Emphasizes the frequent nature of a condition or event.

it commonly occurs

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb indicating a common happening.

it typically happens

Uses "typically" to highlight a standard or expected occurrence.

it is prone to being

Focuses on the likelihood or susceptibility of something.

it is inclined to be

Highlights the predisposition or inclination of something.

it has a habit of being

Indicates a recurring or habitual nature.

it seems to be

Emphasizes the apparent or perceived nature of something.

it is wont to be

Uses the archaic "wont" to express a customary behavior or characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "it tends to be" in a sentence?

Use "it tends to be" to describe something that generally or usually happens. For example, "it tends to be more challenging to learn a new language as you get older".

What are some alternatives to "it tends to be"?

You can use alternatives like "it is generally the case", "it is usually the situation", or "it commonly occurs" depending on the context.

Is "it tends to be" formal or informal?

"It tends to be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer a more precise alternative.

What's the difference between "it tends to be" and "it is always"?

"It tends to be" implies a general tendency, while "it is always" suggests something happens without exception. The former is less absolute and allows for exceptions.