tend
gb/tˈɛnd/ us/tˈɛnd/
A2
English
~ 900
hajlamos, szokott, gondoz, ápol, hajlik, tart, terelődik
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] tends to [verb]
People tend to eat more during the holidays.
Az emberek az ünnepek alatt hajlamosak többet enni.
Cats tend to sleep most of the day.
A macskák általában a nap nagy részét alvással töltik.
He tends to forget names easily.
The weather tends to be rainy in April.
Learner examples
I tend to wake up early.
Hajlamos vagyok korán ébredni.
She tends to speak very fast.
Hajlamos nagyon gyorsan beszélni.
They tend to eat dinner late.
It tends to rain in the spring.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tend to' with 'try to'. 'Tend to' means something happens often or naturally, not that someone is making an effort.
Meaning
Be likely or inclined
Collocations
tend to avoid
|tend to be
|tend to focus
|tend to happen
|tend to occur
Synonyms
be inclined (Slightly more formal; emphasizes a leaning toward a behavior.)
|
be likely (Focuses more on probability than habitual behavior.)
Antonyms
avoid (Deliberately not doing something; opposite of having a tendency toward it.)
Themes
behavior
|habits
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To usually act in a certain way or usually be a certain type of person or thing.
To regularly behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic, often as a general tendency.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to tend [someone/something]
Nurses tend patients with great compassion.
Az ápolók nagy együttérzéssel gondozzák a betegeket.
He spent the afternoon tending his garden.
A délutánt a kertje gondozásával töltötte.
She tends her elderly father every day.
Farmers must tend their crops carefully.
Learner examples
I tend my plants every morning.
Minden reggel gondozom a növényeimet.
She tends her baby with love.
Szeretettel gondozza a kisbabáját.
He tends the fire to keep it warm.
They tend the animals on the farm.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'tend to' meaning 'be likely to'. Context and object presence clarify usage.
Meaning
Take care of
Collocations
tend the garden
|tend the sick
|tend animals
|tend the fire
Synonyms
care for (Common and neutral; interchangeable in many cases.)
|
look after (Informal; common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to give proper care or attention.)
Themes
daily life
|health
|work
|daily_life
|relationships
Definition
To help or look after a person, animal, or thing.
To look after or care for someone or something.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] tends toward [noun/adjective]
Her paintings tend toward abstract styles.
Festményei inkább az absztrakt stílus felé hajlanak.
The discussion tended toward politics by the end of the evening.
Az este végére a beszélgetés politikai témák felé terelődött.
The climate here tends toward dryness.
Learner examples
My taste in music tends toward jazz.
A zenei ízlésem a jazz felé hajlik.
The talks tend toward friendly topics.
A beszélgetések inkább barátságos témák felé terelődnek.
The weather tends toward hot summers.
Meaning
Move toward a state
Collocations
tend toward optimism
|tend toward violence
|tend toward minimalism
Synonyms
lean toward (Informal; suggests preference or inclination.)
|
gravitate toward (More formal; emphasizes natural movement toward something.)
Antonyms
diverge from (Move away from a particular direction or state.)
Themes
change
|trends
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To slowly go toward a certain state or condition.
To change, develop, or move gradually toward a particular condition or result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tend
IPA
GB/tˈɛnd/
US/tˈɛnd/
Syllables & stress
tend (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tend)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: tend
- 3rd Person Singular: tends
- Present Participle: tending
- Past: tended
Word family
Forms
tends
verb
tending
verb
tended
verb
Core family
tendency
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
untended
adjective
Advanced or less common
tendentious
adjective
tendentiously
adverb
Expressions
tend bar
1/tˈɛnd bˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
Serve drinks at a bar
To work serving drinks in a bar.
Examples
- He tended bar at a local pub during college.
- She has been tending bar for over ten years.
tend the garden
1/tˈɛnd ðə ɡˈɑɹdən/
fixed phrase
Care for a garden
To look after plants in a garden and keep them healthy.
Examples
- Every morning, he tends the garden before breakfast.
- They spent the weekend tending the garden for spring planting.
tend to do something
1/tˈɛnd tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Usually do something
To often do something in certain situations.
Examples
- I tend to forget names if I don’t write them down.
- She tends to get nervous before big meetings.