to tend to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to tend to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a tendency or inclination towards a particular behavior or action. Example: "She tends to procrastinate when faced with difficult tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

I meant to tend to their wounds.

The New Yorker

You have to tend to it".

The Guardian - Film

"They're going to tend to look up at it.

The New York Times - Arts

Clergy members were on hand to tend to the soul.

The New York Times

Without farmers to tend to the trees, the seedlings died.

The New Yorker

The farmer had gone to tend to some sheep.

The New York Times - Travel

There were matters of renovation to tend to.

The New York Times

Ms. Capriglione has three old computers to tend to.

The New York Times

It's part of my duty to tend to the altar.

The New Yorker

Dr. Tom Loafman, a veterinarian hired to tend to T.R.F.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're going to tend to do a lot more tests".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to tend to" when you want to convey the idea of providing care, attention, or management to someone or something. For example, "Farmers tend to their crops daily".

Common error

Avoid using "to tend to" when referring to a single, momentary action. Instead, reserve it for ongoing care or habitual actions, ensuring the context reflects continuous involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to tend to" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase. It combines the infinitive marker "to" with the verb "tend" and the preposition "to", often expressing an action related to care, attention, or inclination. Ludwig's examples shows this pattern clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to tend to" is a versatile infinitive phrase that signifies providing care, attention, or management, and expressing a tendency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific literature, reflecting its broad applicability. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of either providing continuous care or expressing a habitual action. Alternatives such as "to take care of" or "to attend to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take care of

Emphasizes the act of providing care or assistance to someone or something.

to look after

Focuses on the act of watching over and ensuring the well-being of someone or something.

to attend to

Highlights the act of giving attention to something, often in a professional or official capacity.

to minister to

Suggests providing help or care, often in a compassionate or supportive manner.

to be inclined to

Indicates a tendency or predisposition towards a certain behavior or action.

to have a tendency to

Similar to "to be inclined to", but emphasizes the habitual nature of the behavior.

to be apt to

Suggests a natural or inherent likelihood of doing something.

to devote oneself to

Emphasizes a strong commitment and dedication to a particular task or person.

to dedicate oneself to

Similar to "to devote oneself to", but may imply a more formal or official commitment.

to see to

Indicates the responsibility to ensure that something is done or taken care of.

FAQs

What does "to tend to" mean?

The phrase "to tend to" generally means to take care of someone or something, or to have a tendency to do something. The meaning is dependent on the context of the phrase.

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

You can use "to tend to" to describe providing care or attention. For example: "She needs "to tend to" her garden regularly". It can also mean having a tendency: "He tends to be late for appointments".

Are there any alternatives to "to tend to" when talking about care?

Yes, depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "to take care of", "to look after", or "to attend to".

When is it appropriate to use "to tend to" versus "to attend to"?

"To tend to" typically implies ongoing care or a habitual action, whereas "to attend to" often suggests giving immediate attention to a specific matter or task. For example, a nurse might "tend to" patients' long-term needs, but "attend to" an emergency.