tend
/tend/ (bre, ipa) · /tend/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtend/ (ame, mw)
tend — verb
- tendpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tendshe / she / it
- tendedpast simple
- tending-ing form
1. if something or someone tends to do something, it is the usual or expected patte
if something or someone tends to do something, it is the usual or expected pattern — for example, a puppy tends to chew on shoes, or winter weather tends to bring colder temperatures
Children tend to copy whatever behaviour they see in their parents.
tend + to-infinitive for habitual behaviour
Hyun tends to arrive at work earlier than anyone else in the office.
The weather along Italy's southern coast tends to stay warm and sunny through October.
Older desktop computers tend to run much slower than newer laptop models do.
Parents in large cities tend to worry about their teenagers more than their kids realise.
- be inclined to
more formal; often suggests a deliberate leaning or opinion
- be prone to
suggests a negative or unwanted outcome ('prone to mistakes')
- be liable to
suggests risk with possible consequences, sometimes legal or financial
- avoid
active opposite; deliberately not doing something despite the usual pattern
文法句型
tend + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'tend + to-infinitive.' The subject can be a person, a group, an object, or a situation. This sense describes general patterns or habits, not specific actions happening right now — do NOT use continuous forms ('is tending to go'). Contrast with sense 5 (TAKE DIRECTION), which describes physical or figurative movement in a particular path rather than a general habit.
常見錯誤
2. to look after someone or something by providing the things they need — for examp
to look after someone or something by providing the things they need — for example, watering plants, feeding animals, or helping a sick person feel comfortable
The night-shift nurse tended to the injured passengers after the bus accident.
tend + to + object for caregiving
Esme spends every afternoon tending her rose garden with great patience.
direct object without 'to' for gardens, plants, animals
Local shepherds have tended their flocks on these hills for centuries.
The volunteers tended to the elderly residents during the power outage.
Mira gently tended the sick kitten back to full health over several weeks.
- look after
more casual and common in everyday British English
- care for
emphasises emotional involvement and concern
- attend to
more formal; suggests duty or responsibility
文法句型
tend + object
tend + to + object
用法筆記
The object can be a person, an animal, a plant, or a place. Used with 'to' (tend to someone/something) in everyday speech, or directly transitive (tend someone/something) in more formal or literary writing. Do not confuse with sense 1 (BE LIKELY TO): 'I tend my garden' means 'I care for it,' not 'I am likely to garden.'
常見錯誤
3. to prepare and pour drinks for people who visit a bar, pub, or attend a party
to prepare and pour drinks for people who visit a bar, pub, or attend a party
Walid tends bar at the hotel lounge every Friday and Saturday night.
idiom: tend bar
Ari learned to tend bar at a pub near his Boston University campus.
Ravi started tending bar at a busy downtown pub while he was still in college.
Ignacio tends the cocktail bar alone when his colleague takes a holiday.
文法句型
tend bar
tend the bar
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'tend bar' or 'tend the bar.' Not commonly used with other objects related to drink service. To describe this job in modern everyday English, 'work as a bartender' or 'bartend' is more common.
4. to play as the goalkeeper in sports such as football (soccer), hockey, or lacros
to play as the goalkeeper in sports such as football (soccer), hockey, or lacrosse, with the job of stopping the ball or puck from going into the goal
Mira tended goal for the national team during the World Cup final match.
sports idiom: tend goal
Ife has been tending the net for her university hockey team since her first year.
The young goalkeeper will tend the net in tomorrow's championship match.
Emily tended goal brilliantly and saved three penalty kicks during the game.
- keep goal
common in British English football contexts
- guard the net
descriptive phrase, not a standard fixed expression
文法句型
tend goal
tend the net
tend the posts
用法筆記
Used in fixed expressions: 'tend goal,' 'tend the net,' or 'tend the posts.' Found in football (soccer), ice hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse. In everyday conversation, 'play in goal' or 'be the goalkeeper' is more common.
5. to go or shift along a specific path, or to gradually reach a certain condition
to go or shift along a specific path, or to gradually reach a certain condition — for example, prices heading higher, or a conversation turning to more serious topics
Interest rates are tending upwards as the country's economy slowly recovers from recession.
tend + adverb of direction (upwards, downwards, eastward)
The conversation tended towards more serious topics as the evening went on.
This year's spring fashion collections tend toward brighter colours and looser fits.
The river tends eastward after it passes through the narrow mountain valley.
- diverge
to move away from a common point or direction
文法句型
tend + adverb (upwards, downwards, eastward)
tend + toward/towards + noun
用法筆記
Common with adverbs of direction (upwards, downwards, eastward, northward) or the preposition 'toward/towards.' More formal than sense 1 (BE LIKELY TO): sense 1 describes habitual behaviour, while sense 5 describes directional movement or change. Often used in economics, geography, and analytical writing.
6. to be in charge of the daily operations of a business or workplace — for example
to be in charge of the daily operations of a business or workplace — for example, running a shop, a farm, a store, or a vineyard
Christopher tends the family dairy farm while his parents are travelling abroad.
tend + farm/shop/store for management
Sahil tends the shop every Saturday while his brother takes the day off.
Fatima has been tending the family farm ever since her parents moved to the city.
Andrew helped his uncle tend the vineyard during the busy grape harvest in early autumn.
文法句型
tend + shop/farm/store/business
用法筆記
Common with nouns referring to a physical place of work: shop, farm, store, vineyard, garden centre, or stall. Less common with abstract nouns like 'department' or 'project.' Usually transitive with a direct object. Compare with sense 2 (CARE FOR): when you tend a farm, you manage its business operations; when you tend a garden, you care for the plants.