"tend to" vs "have a tendency to"

Question

"tend to" vs "have a tendency to"

Both 'have a tendency to' and 'tend to' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably in many contexts. 'Tend to' is more concise and commonly used in everyday language, while 'have a tendency to' is slightly more formal. The choice between them depends on the level of formality you want to convey.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

'Tend to' is used to indicate a general likelihood or inclination towards a particular action or behavior. It is commonly used in informal contexts.

Examples:

I tend to forget people's names easily.
She tends to procrastinate when it comes to studying.
They tend to go for a walk after dinner.

Alternatives:

have a tendency to
are inclined to
have a habit of
have a propensity to
have a proclivity for

This phrase is used to express a recurring pattern or inclination towards a particular action or behavior. It is often used in more formal contexts.

Examples:

Children have a tendency to imitate their parents.
He has a tendency to arrive late for meetings.
She has a tendency to worry too much about the future.

Alternatives:

tend to
are inclined to
have a habit of
have a propensity to
have a proclivity for

Answer 1

tend to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in everyday language. It is more concise than 'have a tendency to'.

Answer 2

have a tendency to

This phrase is correct but slightly more formal than 'tend to'. It is used to indicate a habitual or likely behavior.

"tend to" vs "have a tendency to"

tend to

have a tendency to

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