The structure “tend to + infinitive” is a common grammatical pattern that frequently appears in IELTS exams. Understanding its usage and mastering its application can significantly boost your performance across all sections of the test. Let’s dive deep into this structure and explore how you can effectively use it to enhance your IELTS score.
Examples of “tend to + infinitive” in IELTS contexts:
- “People in urban areas tend to have busier lifestyles than those in rural regions.”
- “Older generations tend to prefer traditional forms of communication.”
- “Students who study regularly tend to perform better in exams.”
- “Companies tend to invest more in employee training during economic booms.”
- “Extreme weather events tend to occur more frequently due to climate change.”
Understanding “Tend to + Infinitive”
The structure “tend to + infinitive” is used to describe habits, typical behavior, or general tendencies. It’s particularly useful in IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks when discussing trends, patterns, or general characteristics.
Grammatical Structure:
The formula for this structure is:
Subject + tend(s) to + base form of verb
It’s important to note that “tend to” is followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without ‘to’), not the gerund or past participle.
Usage in IELTS
In IELTS, this structure can be applied across various topics:
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Writing Task 1: Describing trends in graphs or charts.
Example: “The graph shows that oil prices tend to rise during times of political instability.” -
Writing Task 2: Discussing general patterns in society or behavior.
Example: “Younger generations tend to adopt new technologies more quickly than older ones.” -
Speaking Part 2: Describing typical characteristics or habits.
Example: “My brother tends to spend most of his free time playing video games.” -
Speaking Part 3: Analyzing general trends or behaviors.
Example: “In my country, people tend to prefer living in cities rather than rural areas.”
Applying “Tend to + Infinitive” in IELTS Writing
Task 1 Application
In IELTS Writing Task 1, “tend to + infinitive” can be particularly useful when describing general trends in graphs or charts.
Example paragraph:
“The line graph illustrates how different age groups spend their leisure time. Young adults aged 20-30 tend to allocate more hours to social activities and entertainment. In contrast, individuals in their 40s and 50s tend to dedicate more time to family-related activities. Interestingly, people over 60 tend to engage in a wider variety of leisure activities, including hobbies and volunteering.”
Task 2 Application
For Writing Task 2, this structure can help you discuss general patterns or behaviors in society.
Example paragraph:
“In modern society, people tend to prioritize their careers over personal relationships. This shift in values has led to various social changes. For instance, individuals tend to marry later in life, and couples tend to have fewer children. Moreover, people tend to relocate more frequently for job opportunities, which can weaken community ties.”
Enhancing IELTS Speaking with “Tend to + Infinitive”
Speaking Part 1
While less common in Part 1, you can still use this structure to describe personal habits or preferences.
Example:
Examiner: “Do you prefer to eat at home or in restaurants?”
Candidate: “I tend to prefer eating at home. I find that home-cooked meals are usually healthier and more budget-friendly.”
Speaking Part 2
In your long turn, use “tend to + infinitive” to describe typical characteristics or behaviors.
Example topic: Describe a person you admire.
“I’d like to talk about my grandmother. She’s a remarkable woman who tends to put others before herself. Despite being in her 70s, she tends to stay very active and tends to involve herself in various community projects…”
Speaking Part 3
This structure is particularly useful in Part 3 when discussing general trends or societal patterns.
Example:
Examiner: “How has technology changed the way people communicate?”
Candidate: “Technology has significantly altered communication patterns. Nowadays, people tend to rely more on instant messaging and social media for daily interactions. They tend to prefer quick, short messages over lengthy phone calls or face-to-face conversations. Additionally, individuals tend to maintain larger networks of online connections, although these relationships often tend to be more superficial.”
Advanced Usage for Higher Band Scores
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s crucial to use “tend to + infinitive” accurately and in combination with other advanced structures.
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Combining with modals:
“Despite economic uncertainties, companies might tend to invest more in automation to reduce long-term costs.” -
Using in complex sentences:
“While extroverts tend to thrive in social situations, introverts tend to perform better in tasks requiring deep concentration and independent work.” -
Incorporating adverbs:
“Students who consistently practice generally tend to improve their language skills more rapidly than those who study sporadically.” -
Using in passive voice:
“In academic settings, group projects tend to be assigned more frequently to promote collaborative skills.” -
Combining with perfect tenses:
“Historically, societies have tended to evolve their cultural practices in response to technological advancements.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Incorrect verb form:
Incorrect: “People tend spending more time online.”
Correct: “People tend to spend more time online.” -
Confusing with ‘used to’:
Incorrect: “I tend to live in the countryside when I was young.”
Correct: “I used to live in the countryside when I was young.” -
Overuse:
Avoid using “tend to” excessively in your responses. Variety in language use is key to achieving higher band scores. -
Using with specific one-time events:
Incorrect: “Yesterday, I tended to go to the cinema.”
Correct: “I went to the cinema yesterday.” (Use simple past for specific past events) -
Forgetting subject-verb agreement:
Incorrect: “The company tend to hire experienced professionals.”
Correct: “The company tends to hire experienced professionals.”
Conclusion
Mastering the “tend to + infinitive” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to discuss general trends, habits, and patterns effectively across various topics. Remember to use it appropriately in context, combine it with other advanced structures, and avoid common mistakes. Practice incorporating this structure into your writing and speaking to boost your fluency and grammatical range.
For further practice, try using “tend to + infinitive” in essays about environmental changes, technological advancements, or shifting social norms. These topics frequently appear in IELTS and provide ample opportunity to demonstrate your command of this useful grammatical structure.