tend

To be likely to do something, or to do it often as a habit.

• I tend to forget names.
• He tended to eat alone when he was younger.
• Do these plants tend to grow quickly?

How to use it: tend to do something (Small children tend to wake up early.)

Similar words: be inclined, be likely

Common phrases: tend to forget, tend to happen, tend to agree

To look after someone or something and give them the care they need.

• He tends the garden.
• The nurses tended the wounded soldiers.
• Who will tend to the animals while we're away?

How to use it: tend someone/something (She tends the roses every morning.); tend to someone/something (A nurse came to tend to his injuries.)

Similar words: look after, care for, attend to

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: tend a garden, tend the sick, tend the fire, tend to someone

To generally have a particular quality or move towards a particular result.

• His views tend towards the conservative.
• Her early paintings tended toward realism.
• These arguments tend towards the same conclusion.

How to use it: tend towards/toward something (Her designs tend towards simplicity.)

Similar words: lean, incline

Common phrases: tend towards optimism, tend toward something, tend towards simplicity

To work behind a bar, preparing and serving drinks.

• She tends bar on weekends.
• I tended bar to pay for college.
• Who will tend the bar tonight?

Similar words: bartend

Common phrases: tend bar, tend the bar

To usually move or change in a particular direction.

• Prices tend upward in summer.
• The path tended east as we climbed.
• Temperatures have tended downward over the past week.

How to use it: tend in a direction (Prices have tended downward since June.)

Similar words: trend, incline

Common phrases: tend upward, tend downward, tend north