which tends to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which tends to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a tendency or a common occurrence related to a subject being discussed. Example: "The new policy, which tends to improve employee morale, has been well received by the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's about the prose, which tends to be copious".

The Guardian - Books

More trade means more competition, which tends to raise productivity.

The Economist

In all companies, bosses wield power, which tends to corrupt.

The Economist

My research focuses on the intersection between building construction, which tends to be absolute, and architectural thinking, which tends to be less interested in a single, optimized answer.

Columbia University

Unlike dementia, which tends to occur late, mood changes can appear at any time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Companies focus constantly on the former, which tends to be a rational step-by-step process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Innovation-focused adopters of AI are positioning themselves for growth, which tends to stimulate jobs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And there's a business element within it which tends to want to open things up.

University of California, Berkeley

And everything which tends to move the world closer to that state is objectively bad.

The Guardian - Opinion

And finally on flaky puff pastry, which tends to send crumbs flying when cut.

The New York Times - Food

Higher marginal tax rates make work less rewarding, which tends to reduce work effort.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which tends to" to describe common but not inevitable outcomes or behaviors. This adds nuance, acknowledging exceptions while highlighting general patterns.

Common error

Avoid using "which tends to" when describing a guaranteed outcome. It signifies a tendency, not a certainty. If the result is always the same, use "which always" or "which invariably".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which tends to" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun phrase by adding information about its typical behavior or outcome. Ludwig AI shows it is often used to describe propensities or general characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which tends to" is a versatile phrase used to express a common or likely outcome or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a relative clause, adding descriptive information. While grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, ensure that you use it to indicate a tendency rather than an absolute certainty. Alternatives like "which is inclined to" or "that usually results in" can be used to add nuance, but "which tends to" remains a clear and effective choice for expressing typical patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is inclined to

This alternative uses "inclined" to suggest a predisposition or leaning toward a certain behavior or outcome, similar to a tendency.

which is apt to

Using "apt" indicates a natural or habitual tendency, emphasizing the likelihood of something occurring.

that generally leads to

This phrase emphasizes the consequence or result that typically follows from something, focusing on the causal link.

that usually results in

Similar to "generally leads to", this highlights the typical outcome, but with a stronger emphasis on the result.

that commonly produces

This option emphasizes the act of producing or creating a specific result, highlighting the generative aspect of the tendency.

that often brings about

This suggests that something frequently causes or initiates a particular outcome.

that typically causes

This alternative focuses on the causal relationship, indicating that something is a common cause of something else.

that is generally prone to

Using "prone" suggests a susceptibility or vulnerability to something, indicating a predisposition to experience it.

which is wont to

This phrase uses "wont" to indicate a habitual or customary behavior, often used in a more formal or literary context.

which is given to

This option suggests a natural inclination or a habitual practice, emphasizing a personal tendency or characteristic.

FAQs

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

Use "which tends to" to describe something that commonly or usually happens as a result of something else. For example, "Higher marginal tax rates make work less rewarding, "which tends to" reduce work effort".

What are some alternatives to "which tends to"?

You can use phrases like "which is inclined to", "which is apt to", or "that usually results in" as alternatives to "which tends to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "which tends to" formal or informal?

"Which tends to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure rather than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "which tends to" and "which always"?

"Which tends to" indicates a common or likely outcome, but not a certainty. "Which always" implies that the outcome is guaranteed. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight a probability or a constant result.