tend to agree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tend to agree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a general inclination or tendency to share a similar opinion or viewpoint with others. Example: "In discussions about climate change, many scientists tend to agree that immediate action is necessary to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Analysts tend to agree.

The New York Times

I tend to agree.

The New York Times

Impartial observers tend to agree.

The Economist

Commenters tend to agree.

The New York Times

Voters tend to agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Steven responded: "I tend to agree".

Independent

"I tend to agree with the manager.

Independent

French-speaking Swiss tend to agree.

The Economist

And I tend to agree.

The New York Times - Style

Legal experts tend to agree.

The New York Times

Mostly we tend to agree.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tend to agree" to express a general inclination or common viewpoint, especially when summarizing opinions from multiple sources or individuals. For example, "Analysts tend to agree that the market will stabilize."

Common error

Avoid using "tend to agree" when a stronger statement of agreement is warranted. If there's overwhelming consensus, phrases like "unanimously agree" or "firmly believe" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tend to agree" functions as a verb phrase indicating a general inclination or likelihood of concurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's used to suggest that people or sources generally share a similar viewpoint, but without necessarily implying complete or unanimous agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tend to agree" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a general inclination or common viewpoint, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It strikes a balance between stating a consensus and acknowledging potential differences in opinion. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, remember to use it judiciously and avoid overstating the degree of agreement when a stronger expression might be more accurate. Alternatives like "generally concur" or "are inclined to agree" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inclined to agree

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the inclination or predisposition towards agreement.

are apt to agree

Emphasizes the likelihood or probability of agreement.

generally concur

Implies a broader agreement across a group or situation, rather than a personal inclination.

are prone to agree

Highlights a tendency or vulnerability towards agreeing.

often align in opinion

Suggests a habitual agreement, focusing on the alignment of opinions rather than the tendency.

lean toward agreement

Indicates a slight inclination toward agreeing, suggesting less certainty.

are of a similar mind

Focuses on the similarity of thought processes leading to agreement.

share a common view

Emphasizes the shared perspective rather than the act of agreeing.

see eye to eye

A more idiomatic expression indicating complete agreement.

find common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared beliefs or understanding, which implies agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "tend to agree" in a sentence?

You can use "tend to agree" to express a general inclination or common viewpoint. For example, "Experts "seem to agree" that further research is needed."

What are some alternatives to "tend to agree"?

Alternatives include phrases like "generally concur", "often align in opinion", or "are inclined to agree", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "tend to agree" instead of "agree"?

"Tend to agree" suggests a general inclination or likelihood of agreement, while "agree" indicates a definite concurrence. Use "tend to agree" when you want to convey a less absolute or more qualified form of agreement.

Is "tend to agree" formal or informal?

"Tend to agree" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider more precise synonyms like "generally concur" or "find common ground".