Tend vs. Tendency — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Tend and Tendency
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Definitions
Tend
To have a tendency
Paint that tends toward bubbling and peeling over time.
Tendency
An inclination towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour
For students, there is a tendency to socialize in the evenings
Criminal tendencies
Tend
To be disposed or inclined
Tends toward exaggeration.
Tendency
A characteristic likelihood
Fabric that has a tendency to wrinkle.
Tend
To move or extend in a certain direction
Our ship tended northward.
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Tendency
A predisposition to think, act, or proceed in a particular way
His tendency to exaggerate.
Tend
To have the care of; watch over; look after
Tend a child.
Tendency
A characteristic pattern or point of view
The book's tendency to oversimplify events.
Tend
To manage the activities and transactions of; run
Tend bar.
Tend a store in the owner's absence.
Tendency
Movement or prevailing movement in a given direction
Observed the tendency of the wind.
The shoreward tendency of the current.
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Tend
To be an attendant or servant.
Tendency
A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward.
Denim has a tendency to fade.
I have a tendency to get bored after the first half an hour of a movie.
There's a common tendency among first-game visitors to a casino to bet overcautiously.
Tend
To apply one's attention; attend
No time to tend to my diary.
Tendency
(politics) An organised unit or faction within a larger political organisation.
Tend
To make a tender of; to offer or tender.
Tendency
Direction or course toward any place, object, effect, or result; drift; causal or efficient influence to bring about an effect or result.
Writings of this kind, if conducted with candor, have a more particular tendency to the good of their country.
In every experimental science, there is a tendency toward perfection.
Tend
(followed by a to-infinitive) To be likely, or probable to do something, or to have a certain habit or leaning.
They tend to go out on Saturdays.
It tends to snow here in winter.
Tendency
An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others;
He had an inclination to give up too easily
A tendency to be too strict
Tend
(intransitive) To contribute to or toward some outcome.
Tendency
An inclination to do something;
He felt leanings toward frivolity
Tend
(with to) To look after (e.g. an ill person.)
We need to tend to the garden, which has become a mess.
Tendency
A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect;
The alkaline inclination of the local waters
Fabric with a tendency to shrink
Tend
To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard.
Shepherds tend their flocks.
Tendency
A general direction in which something tends to move;
The shoreward tendency of the current
The trend of the stock market
Tend
To wait (upon), as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend.
Tend
(obsolete) To await; to expect.
Tend
(obsolete) To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
Tend
To manage (an anchored vessel) when the tide turns, to prevent it from entangling the cable when swinging.
Tend
To kindle; ignite; set on fire; light; inflame; burn.
Tend
To make a tender of; to offer or tender.
Tend
To accompany as an assistant or protector; to care for the wants of; to look after; to watch; to guard; as, shepherds tend their flocks.
And flaming ministers to watch and tendTheir earthly charge.
There 's not a sparrow or a wren,There 's not a blade of autumn grain,Which the four seasons do not tendAnd tides of life and increase lend.
Tend
To be attentive to; to note carefully; to attend to.
Being to descendA ladder much in height, I did not tendMy way well down.
Tend
To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; - with on or upon.
Was he not companion with the riotous knightsThat tend upon my father?
Tend
To await; to expect.
Tend
To move in a certain direction; - usually with to or towards.
Two gentlemen tending towards that sight.
Thus will this latter, as the former world,Still tend from bad to worse.
The clouds above me to the white Alps tend.
Tend
To be directed, as to any end, object, or purpose; to aim; to have or give a leaning; to exert activity or influence; to serve as a means; to contribute; as, our petitions, if granted, might tend to our destruction.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
The laws of our religion tend to the universal happiness of mankind.
Tend
Have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined;
She tends to be nervous before her lectures
These dresses run small
He inclined to corpulence
Tend
Have care of or look after;
She tends to the children
Tend
Manage or run;
Tend a store
