tend to flick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tend to flick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a habitual or frequent action, often referring to something that happens intermittently or with a tendency. Example: "The lights in the old building tend to flick when there is a storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Extremities tend to flick.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In general, they found that the crabs in the more acidic water tended to flick their antennae less often, and were slower to sniff out food.

Science Magazine

Clip top layers up and work from the bottom, curling under if that is the look you want (as short hair tends to flick out if it rests on your shoulders).

WikiHow

I tend to watch Flick entirely too carefully and judge any discomfort in his expression or lack of responsiveness as his feeling unhappiness being present while I'm being a slut.

Huffington Post

In many cases, poseurs tend to watch slasher flicks, anything by Tim Burton... and not much else.

WikiHow

In general, the grossly exploitative flicks tend to be more entertaining or at least bearable than the earnestly instructive variant.

The New York Times

According to Ravid's research, PG- and G-rated flicks tend to earn more money, all other variables including release dates and budgets being equal.

Forbes

Most superhero flicks tend to see steep second-weekend declines because the fanboys and -girls rush to see them right away.

Huffington Post

That "Wonder Woman" figure is especially noteworthy because superhero flicks tend to see steep declines ― about 60percentt ― during their second weekend in theaters, once the most faithful fanboys and -girls have already scurried to the multiplexes.

Huffington Post

If you've been reading my reviews for awhile, you know I tend to enjoy all these Avengers flicks to some extent or another.

Huffington Post

The fat, juicy larvae of butterflies and moths tend to be experts at predator avoidance, using camouflage, rolling themselves in leaves, and even flicking their own poop to discourage birds, frogs, and small mammals from eating them.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tend to flick" to describe a recurring, quick movement or gesture, particularly when emphasizing a slight or unintentional nature of the action. For example, "His fingers tend to flick when he's nervous."

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid overusing "tend to flick" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs that directly convey the specific movement or action if the context demands higher accuracy and formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tend to flick" functions as a verb phrase indicating a habitual or likely action. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to describe movements of body parts or objects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tend to flick" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a recurring, quick movement, often subtle or involuntary. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with a neutral register. Consider alternatives like "have a tendency to twitch" or "are prone to snap" for nuanced variations. Be mindful of overuse in overly formal settings, opting for more precise language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a tendency to twitch

Replaces "flick" with "twitch", suggesting a small, involuntary movement.

are prone to snap

Focuses on the likelihood of a sudden, sharp movement.

are inclined to flutter

Substitutes "flick" with "flutter", implying a quick, light waving motion.

often jerk

Replaces "tend to" with "often" and "flick" with "jerk", indicating a frequent, abrupt movement.

are apt to wiggle

Uses "apt to wiggle" to describe a common habit of small movements.

generally twitch

Emphasizes the general habit of twitching. The intensity is lower than the one described by "tend to flick".

typically quiver

Suggests a shaking movement, replacing the snappier "flick".

commonly snap

Suggests how an object performs a snapping action in most circumstances.

usually twitch

Replaces "tend to" with "usually" for the action of twitching.

are liable to vibrate

Focuses on the possibility of rapid oscillation.

FAQs

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

Use "tend to flick" to describe a habitual or frequent light, quick movement. For example, "The cat's tail "tend to flick" when it's hunting."

What are some alternatives to "tend to flick"?

You can use alternatives like "are prone to snap", "are inclined to flutter", or "have a tendency to twitch" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "tend to flick"?

Yes, "tend to flick" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase in English. It describes a habitual action, meaning something that happens regularly or is likely to happen.

What does "tend to flick" imply about the movement?

The phrase ""tend to flick"" implies that the movement is usually quick, light, and perhaps somewhat uncontrolled or unconscious. It suggests a habitual action rather than a deliberate, forceful one.