tender to

USAGE SUMMARY

"tender to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express someone's sensitive or caring nature towards another person or situation. For example: - She has always been very tender to her younger siblings, always looking out for their well-being. - The teacher was tender to the students who were struggling and offered additional support and guidance. - He was known for his gentle and tender approach to his patients, making them feel at ease during their medical treatments.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her right upper quadrant was tender to palpation without rebound tenderness or guarding.

BMC Infectious Diseases

He is tender to crackpots and even to infant prodigies.

The New Yorker

South Korea's Samsung won the open tender to buy the bank.

The Economist

Diseased muscles may also swell and be tender to the touch, or they may cramp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Weapons and provisions were then transferred from the tender to the second vessel.

The New York Times

The meat was tender to the point of falling off the bone.

The New York Times

This rash was tender to the touch but not itchy at all.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She could be very warm and tender to me and very standoffish and cold".

The New Yorker

On April 13, I.I.T. Bombay sent a single-party tender to DataWind for 100,000 tablets.

The New York Times

It took five minutes for the tender to circle and approach the cradle again.

The New Yorker

The musical fare varied from "Love Me Tender" to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" to Thai pop songs.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tender to" in medical contexts, ensure you are accurately describing the patient's physical response to palpation or touch. Be specific about the location and intensity of the tenderness.

Common error

While "tender to" is appropriate in medical descriptions, overuse in general writing can sound overly formal or clinical. In non-medical contexts, consider alternatives like "sensitive to", "gentle with", or "kind to" for better readability and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tender to" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically used to describe a state of sensitivity or pain in response to touch, pressure, or emotional stimuli. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts, from medical examinations to descriptions of character traits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tender to" is a grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe sensitivity or pain, primarily in medical and emotional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase, though its formality can vary based on the context. While prevalent in science and news media, as indicated by the examples, it's advisable to consider alternative phrasing like "sensitive to" or "gentle with" in general writing to avoid an overly clinical tone. Remember to be specific when describing physical tenderness, and avoid overusing this phrase in non-medical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive to

Focuses more on the emotional or physical responsiveness.

susceptible to

Implies a vulnerability or likelihood of being affected.

sympathetic to

Conveys understanding and sharing of feelings.

compassionate toward

Highlights the feeling of empathy and concern.

caring towards

Highlights the act of providing support and concern.

gentle with

Emphasizes the kindness and care in interaction.

considerate of

Emphasizes thoughtfulness and awareness of others' needs.

kind to

A more general expression of goodwill and thoughtfulness.

soft on

Suggests a lack of strictness or harshness.

lenient with

Indicates a mild or forgiving attitude.

FAQs

How can I use "tender to" in a sentence?

In a medical context, you might say, "The abdomen was "tender to palpation" in the right upper quadrant". More broadly, you could state, "She was "tender to the needs of others"".

What does "tender to palpation" mean in a medical examination?

In medical terms, ""tender to palpation"" means that a specific area of the body is painful when touched or pressed during a physical examination. It's a key indicator for diagnosing various medical conditions.

Which is the correct way to describe sensitivity: "tender to" or "sensitive to"?

Both "tender to" and "sensitive to" are correct, but they have different connotations. "Tender to" often refers to physical touch or pressure, whereas "sensitive to" can refer to emotional or physical stimuli.

What are some alternative phrases to "tender to" that I can use in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "sensitive to", "compassionate toward", or "gentle with depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.