tending
/tend/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɛndɪŋ] /tend/ (ame, ipa)
tending — verb
- tendingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tendings3rd person singular
- tendinging-ing form
- tendingedpast simple
1. If someone or something tends to do something, that action happens often enough
If someone or something tends to do something, that action happens often enough to seem usual or likely.
Christopher tends to answer emails before breakfast each morning.
pattern: tend to + verb
In dry weather, Karim's skin tends to crack around his knuckles.
The old bus has been tending to overheat on steep hills.
When meetings run long, Noa tends to skip her lunch break.
- be likely to
Closer to prediction and slightly more formal.
- usually
States frequency, but does not always suggest an underlying pattern.
- lean toward
Often suggests preference or opinion rather than repeated behavior.
文法句型
tend to + verb
用法筆記
Usually followed by to + verb. It describes a repeated pattern or strong likelihood, not a single decision made on one occasion.
常見錯誤
2. To look after a person, animal, plant, or place by giving it regular care.
To look after a person, animal, plant, or place by giving it regular care.
Adina is tending her grandmother while her uncle works nights.
pattern: tend + person
Each spring, Femi spends Saturday mornings tending the school garden.
pattern: tend + place
During the storm, two nurses were tending injured passengers near the gate.
Vinicius stayed home, tending the goats and fixing their pen.
- care for
A broad everyday choice for looking after someone or something.
- look after
Common in everyday speech and often used for people, animals, or property.
- watch over
Adds a stronger idea of protection.
文法句型
tend + noun
用法筆記
The object is usually a person, animal, plant, or place that needs steady attention. It often suggests repeated practical care rather than one quick action.
常見錯誤
3. To mix drinks and pass them to guests from a bar or service table.
To mix drinks and pass them to guests from a bar or service table.
Eric spends Friday nights tending bar at his cousin's cafe.
collocation: tend bar
At the fundraiser, Quinn was tending the drinks table near the stage.
pattern: tend + drinks table
When the line grew longer, two students started tending the juice stand.
Near midnight, volunteers were still tending the coffee station outside.
- bartend
More directly tied to working as a bartender in a bar.
- serve
Broader and can refer to any kind of food or drink service.
- pour drinks
Focuses on the act of preparing the beverages, not the whole service role.
文法句型
tend bar
tend + drinks table
tend + station
用法筆記
Common in bar or event settings. The object often names the place or service point where the drinks are being prepared and handed out.
4. In sports, to guard the goal and keep the opposing side from getting a score.
In sports, to guard the goal and keep the opposing side from getting a score.
Nikhil is tending goal tonight because our usual keeper is sick.
sports phrase: tend goal
In the final minutes, Elise kept tending the net under heavy pressure.
sports collocation: tend the net
Only the youngest defender enjoys tending goal on the wet field.
After halftime, the reserve captain ended up tending goal for ten minutes.
- keep goal
A close sporting equivalent with the same basic meaning.
- play goalkeeper
More explicit and easier for general learners to understand.
文法句型
tend goal
tend the net
用法筆記
Used in sports contexts when the speaker is focusing on the role of keeping the ball out during a game or practice.