tend

tend to

1. To focus or apply one's attention to someone or something; to take care of someone or something. You really need to tend to the lawn—it's getting pretty overgrown! I'm taking some time off of work to tend to my daughter while she is sick.
2. To be inclined or have a tendency to do something. Sarah has a lot more experience than me in this aspect of the business, so I tend to defer to her opinions on such matters. I tend not to believe rumors like these until I see some actual evidence.
See also: tend

tend toward (something)

To have a tendency or be inclined or disposed to display some behavior or characteristic. The author's work tends toward the harsh, gloomy realities of the world, but she always maintains a vein of persistent hopefulness in all her stories. His fiscal policies tend toward conservatism, while his social policies tend toward liberalism.
See also: tend, toward
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tend to do something

to have a tendency to do something. Jill tends to play with her hair while she works. Sam tends to say things like that when he is upset.
See also: tend

tend toward something

to have a tendency to display a certain characteristic. Roger tends toward the dramatic. We all tend toward bad humor during bad weather.
See also: tend, toward
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

tend to

1. Apply one's attention, as in We should tend to our business, which is to teach youngsters. This term uses tend in the sense of "attend." [1300s]
2. Be disposed or inclined, as in We tend to believe whatever we are told. This term uses tend in the sense of "have a tendency." [c. 1600]
See also: tend
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

tend to

v.
To apply one's attention to something; attend to something: I must tend to my chores before I can go outside.
See also: tend

tend toward

v.
1. To have a tendency toward something: Most kinds of paint tend toward peeling over time.
2. To be disposed or inclined toward something: Many children tend toward exaggeration.
3. To move or extend in some direction: Our ship tended toward the northern coast.
See also: tend, toward
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
They tend to take it for granted that other people will make extra efforts to help them.
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In common practice, the problem is addressed by screw cooling, which tends to stabilize the solid plug and prevent premature breakup, and by the use of mixing devices, which add energy to help complete melting and thermally homogenize the melt prior to discharge.
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Lichtenberg says that many women tend to pitch pink to blues and, thus, seem unfocused to the blues.
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In old age, women tend to have a more varied social support network and often rely on their spouse, friends and family for social support.
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And the software systems tend to be more capable, more robust, and more scalable."
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Youth groups, too, tend to be divided by language, and this goes back to what I always say are the two myths in this country: First, that language equals culture, and second, that folklore equals culture.
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Nowadays, however, classical musicians tend to rely on publishers and editors to fill in our scores, and thus we have the "great divide" in classical music between performance and composition.
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After a few seasons you will find areas where the bucks and does tend to hole up.
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He said: ``The in: tend programme is open to small to medium businesses in the North West and is designed to improve operational standards and reduce health, safety and environmental impacts.
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On one hand, specialties tend to be high margin grades; on the other, they tend to be short run with fussy customers.
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(7,9) Submandibular stones close to the hilum of the gland tend to become large before they become symptomatic.
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All workplaces now tend to the condition of the office.
The office: offices change constantly as new management theories and communication systems transform the nature of work. While some new employment environments enhance workers' lives, others are distinctly sinister
Educated girls tend to marry at a later age and raise healthier, better-nourished children.
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As people become less interested in and less focused on another person, they tend to angle their bodies away.
Body language speaks: reading and responding more effectively to hidden communication