Using the verb 'tend' as a base, I'm going to introduce 4 differerent patterns that you can use in English conversation right away.
There are 2 basic structures that we use with 'tend.'
Tend to 〜
Have a tendency to 〜
They might look a little tricky at first sight, but after you learn the rules it's actually not as difficult as you may think. Here's what the 4 different meanings are in Japanese.
By mastering these structures, it can make you look even smarter and might even impress your colleagues and friends with your intellectual conversation.
Bear in mind they are definitely not slang expressions and are often used when giving your opinions and analyzing the situation.
基本文法
We always use this basic grammar pattern
TEND TO + Basic Verb
For instance
I tend to drink coffee after dinner.
We don’t say
I TEND TO DID. ❌
I TEND TO DONE. ❌
I TEND TO DOING. ❌
I TEND TO WILL DO. ❌
We do say
TEND TO DO ⭕️
When you are changing the verb tense, you change the main verb which is of course TEND.
Do did done -> tend tended tended
The verb tend has a simple ED ending - easy peasy!
It’s used just like other well-known combination such as
WANT TO HAVE TO NEED TO
So let's take a look at
HAVE A TENDENCY TO
The rule is the same and the main verb is 'have.'
For instance
I have a tendency to drink coffee after dinner.
It’s basically the same meaning as
I tend to drink coffee after dinner.
What’s the difference?
People tend to use TEND TO more in a casual conversation.
There is a tendency to use HAVE A TENDENCY TO in a more intellectual discussion.
Intellectual means intelligent or just very clever.
Are you with me so far?
① ～しがちである
We can use tend to when things just happen because it’s part of a person’s DNA, their character, or because a set of particular conditions.
Here are some examples
Students have a tendency to waste time.
学生は時間を浪費しがちである。
Older people tend to forget things.
年寄りはものを忘れがちである。
Cars have a tendency to slip on wet roads.
濡れた道路では車は横すべりしがちである。
KEY POINT
When are using the negative form, we say 'tend NOT to' instead of 'tend to NOT.'
It’s not such a big deal, but it’s more natural to say it this way.
He tends not to take his father’s advice.
彼は父のアドバイスを軽視しがちである。
② ～する傾向がある
We can also use TEND TO when we’re talking about a trend.
Something which happens regularly and fairly predictably.
Here are some examples
Jenny tends to lose weight in the summer.
ジェニーは夏やせする傾向がある。
He has a tendency to be pessimistic.
彼は悲観する傾向がある。
He tends to be late for meetings.
彼は会議に遅刻する傾向がある。
Women have a tendency to live longer than men.
女性は男性より長生きする傾向がある。
③ ～になりやすい
If something happens easily and rather frequently we can use
TEND TO or HAVE A TENDENCY TO.
Want to see how it’s used?
Let’s take a look
I tend to get headaches.
私は偏頭痛になりやすい。
This material has a tendency to get stained easily.
この生地はしみになりやすい。
Pregnant women tend to get constipated rather a lot.
妊娠している女性は便秘になりやすい。
I have a tendency to put on weight easily.
私は太りやすい体質だ。
④ どちらかといえば～だ
When you have a couple of choices like
Agreeing or disagreeing
Casual clothes or more formal clothes
TEND is the perfect word if you usually choose A over B.
Here’s what I mean
I have a tendency to agree.
どちらかといえばそうだと思う。
Japanese people tend to like beer more than wine.
日本人はどちらかと言えばワインよりビールの方が好きである。
I have a tendency to buy automatic cars.
どちらかといえばオートマチックの車を買う。
I tend to choose organic vegetables, despite the price.
野菜は高くても有機野菜を選ぶことが多い。
Conclusion
'TEND' is a word that can take your English to the next level. It helps you explain a wide variety of situations while making you look good. Now, who wouldn't want to master a word like that? Please watch the VIDEO LESSON on YouTube!
Thanks for reading!
intellectual | 知的 |
easy peasy! | めっちゃ簡単！子どもが（または大人が子どもぶって）使う表現 |
Are you with me so far? | ここまでは大丈夫ですか？ |
waste time | 時間を無駄にする |
lose weight | 痩せる |
put on weight | 太る |
pessimistic | 悲観的 |
pregnant | 妊娠した |
constipated | 便秘になった |
organic vegetables | 有機野菜 |
despite 〜 | ～にもかかわらず、～をよそに |