Guide 211 / 221 3 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “Have a tendency to”
"Tend to."
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"Tend to" already says "have a tendency to" in two words. Same pattern as "has the ability to → can."
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
Junior engineers have a tendency to over-engineer.
After
Junior engineers tend to over-engineer.
iii · The alternatives3 ways out
- 01Tend to neutral
best default
Junior engineers tend to over-engineer.
- 02Often neutral
simpler still
Junior engineers often over-engineer.
- 03Usually neutral
frequency framing
Junior engineers usually over-engineer.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
"Tendency to" → "tend to."