What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tending
Example
She enjoys tending to her garden every morning. [tending: verb]
Example
The nurse spent the night tending to the patient's needs. [tending: gerund or present participle]
attending
Example
I will be attending the conference next week. [attending: verb]
Example
He was fully attending to the lecture and taking notes. [attending: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Attending is more commonly used than tending in everyday language, especially in professional settings. Tending is less common and is usually associated with specific contexts such as gardening or animal care.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tending and attending?
Attending is generally considered more formal than tending, as it is often used in professional contexts. However, both words can be used in both formal and informal settings depending on the context.
