tending to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tending to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an inclination or tendency towards something. For example, "The report found that, overall, students tended to perform better in math than in other subjects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Now it's tending to be something fancier".

The New York Times

The woman, also naked, was tending to his wound.

Independent

He spends much of the day tending to old accounts.

The New York Times

Curdken lives a poor life, tending to his geese,.

The New Yorker

That suggests he is tending to future voters.

The Economist

He continued tending to his frogs, with their deafening chorus.

The New Yorker

Her grief, tending to it, takes all her time.

The New Yorker

And kidnaps are tending to become more violent.

The Economist

In the meantime, Thomas is tending to his injured finger.

The New York Times - Sports

He is also tending to a new romance.

The New York Times

The paramedics had arrived and were tending to people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tending to", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean 'taking care of' or 'having a tendency toward'. Clarity will prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tending to" when a more precise verb would better convey your intended meaning. Overuse can lead to vagueness. If you mean 'caring for', say that directly; if you mean 'inclined towards', choose a synonym like '"inclined to"' or '"likely to"'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tending to" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the gerund form when used as a noun. It indicates an action or process of either taking care of something or having a tendency towards a specific outcome, depending on the context, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tending to" is a versatile expression with two primary meanings: 'taking care of' and 'having a tendency toward'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register, fitting diverse communication needs. When using "tending to", ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity between its dual meanings. Alternatives like 'attending to' or '"inclined to"' can enhance precision, depending on the intended sense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attending to

Stresses the act of paying attention and dealing with something.

taking care of

Focuses on the act of providing care or assistance.

looking after

Similar to taking care of, but implies a sense of responsibility.

inclined to

Emphasizes a predisposition or leaning towards something.

leaning towards

Suggests a direction or preference.

catering to

Implies providing specific needs or desires.

managing

Highlights the act of controlling or directing something.

supervising

Focuses on overseeing and directing activities.

geared towards

Indicates a specific focus or orientation.

predisposed to

Highlights a natural tendency or susceptibility.

FAQs

What does "tending to" mean?

The phrase "tending to" has two primary meanings: taking care of something or someone, or having a tendency or inclination towards something.

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

You can use "tending to" to describe caring for something, like "She is "taking care of" her garden", or to indicate a tendency, such as "Prices are "inclined to" increase during the summer".

What are some alternatives to "tending to" when it means 'taking care of'?

If you mean 'taking care of', you can use alternatives like "attending to", "looking after", or "caring for".

What are some alternatives to "tending to" when it means 'inclined towards'?

If you mean 'inclined towards', consider using phrases like ""likely to"", ""inclined to"", or "prone to".