will tend to

USAGE SUMMARY

"will tend to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a likely or expected outcome or result. For example: "Investing in stocks will tend to lead to a higher return in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farmers will tend to adapt.

The Economist

Unemployment will tend to drive them down.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Central Europeans will tend to agree unreservedly.

The Economist

E. Interest rates will tend to decline.

The New York Times

"He will tend to our needs".

The New York Times

People will tend to overinterpret it.

The New Yorker

Universities will tend to be "garbage cans," but armies will tend to be rational hierarchies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a result, targets will tend to suffer decreased productivity.

Human Resource Management Review

People will tend to move on and find other suppliers".

The New York Times

Any success will tend to swell my head — unconsciously even.

The New Yorker

This will tend to exacerbate unemployment and blue-collar resentment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will tend to" when describing a general trend or expectation rather than a certainty. This phrasing acknowledges potential exceptions or variations.

Common error

Avoid using "will tend to" when you need to express absolute certainty. Use stronger language when the outcome is guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will tend to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a propensity, likelihood, or general tendency. It suggests that something is likely to happen or be true, but without absolute certainty. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to express trends or expected outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will tend to" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express likelihood, general trends, or expectations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. Ludwig's examples show it frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. Remember to use "will tend to" when describing trends with potential exceptions, avoiding it for statements of absolute certainty. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases such as "is likely to" or "has a tendency to", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is likely to

Emphasizes probability and expectation.

is inclined to

Suggests a predisposition or natural tendency.

has a tendency to

Highlights a recurring pattern or habit.

is apt to

Implies a natural or habitual inclination.

is prone to

Indicates a susceptibility to something, often negative.

is wont to

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing a habitual action.

usually does

Focuses on typical behavior or action.

generally does

Highlights the common occurrence of an action.

typically does

Emphasizes the standard or expected action.

on average does

Focuses on overall trend based on data.

FAQs

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

Use "will tend to" to indicate a likely outcome or a general trend, such as, "Investing in the stock market "will tend to" yield higher returns over the long term."

What's a more formal alternative to "will tend to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "is likely to" or "is inclined to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, instead of saying "Prices "will tend to" rise", you could say "Prices are likely to rise".

What's the difference between "will tend to" and "will"?

"Will" indicates a certainty, while "will tend to" suggests a probability or general trend. For example, "The sun "will" rise tomorrow" expresses certainty, whereas "People "will tend to" prefer chocolate over vanilla" indicates a general preference, not a universal truth.

Can "will tend to" be used to describe past events?

No, "will tend to" is generally used to describe future or ongoing tendencies. For past events, use phrases like "tended to" or "had a tendency to".