tends to crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tends to crack" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is likely to break or become damaged over time or under certain conditions. Example: "The old paint on the walls tends to crack when exposed to extreme temperatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Literature tends to crack them.

The New York Times - Books

It's memorable when it happens in the movie, and in life Lie's solemnity tends to crack in response to Steiro, who is fiendishly friendly, a perfect foil.

The New York Times

The wood is still fairly wet, so, when I work with pine it tends to crack, which, to me, enhances the final image.

The New York Times

Apparently one of the clips that holds the Kindle in place also tends to crack the case.

TechCrunch

The applied pressure for pattern transfer tends to crack the substrates underneath the Al films, such as silicon and glass with brittle property, and leads to substrate fracture.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Ivory was used for a few 18th-century clarinets, but it tends to crack and does not keep its shape well.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Folks tend to crack under pressure," Mr. Chambliss added.

The New York Times

But there is some cause for hope – in the past Bo has tended to crack under pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

Though it is extremely hard, the nitride layer does not tend to crack, because it is very thin and adheres well to the ductile steel beneath it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tape being the quaint technology whereby books were recorded back then, when listening to a lengthy unabridged novel meant lugging around stacks of cassettes that tended to crack open and spill their guts when dropped.

The New York Times - Books

When both were playing the comedy clubs, Jerry was the crowd-pleaser, the one who got invited onto Johnny Carson's Tonight show, while Larry's harder-edged angst-ridden routines tended to crack up his fellow comics.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the physical properties of a material, use "tends to crack" to indicate a common failure mode under stress or environmental conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "tends to crack" when describing abstract concepts or behaviors. Opt for phrases like "tends to falter" or "is prone to failure" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tends to crack" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a predisposition or likelihood of something developing cracks or breaking. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tends to crack" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a predisposition for something to develop cracks or break. Ludwig AI confirms this, and it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal or technical settings might benefit from more specific terminology. Common alternatives include "is prone to breaking" and "is likely to fracture". When using the phrase, be mindful of overusing it in non-material contexts, opting for alternatives that better suit abstract concepts or behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a tendency to break

Rephrases using "has a tendency", which is a more formal expression.

is prone to breaking

Replaces "tends to" with "is prone to", emphasizing a susceptibility to breakage.

often develops cracks

Emphasizes the development of cracks as a process.

is likely to fracture

Substitutes "crack" with "fracture", indicating a more severe form of breaking.

is susceptible to splitting

Uses "splitting" instead of "cracking", implying a division into parts.

is vulnerable to fissures

Replaces "crack" with "fissures", suggesting narrow openings or cracks.

is inclined to rupture

Replaces "crack" with "rupture", suggesting a sudden and forceful break.

is apt to fail

Shifts focus to failure instead of the specific action of cracking.

is disposed to crumble

Substitutes "crack" with "crumble", indicating a gradual disintegration.

is liable to give way

Focuses on the consequence of cracking, which is the object giving way.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "tends to crack"?

It means that the object or material in question is likely to develop cracks or break under certain conditions or over time. It suggests a predisposition to this type of damage.

How can I use "tends to crack" in a sentence?

You might say, "Glass "glass tends to crack" when exposed to rapid temperature changes" or "The old paint "the old paint tends to crack" in direct sunlight".

What are some alternatives to saying "tends to crack"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is prone to breaking", "is likely to fracture", or "has a tendency to break".

Is "tends to crack" formal or informal?

The phrase "tends to crack" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal or scientific writing, a more precise term like "is susceptible to fracture" might be preferred.