Ah, the delightful dance of a well-crafted crossword clue! Sometimes, they whisper their secrets; other times, they throw a curveball that leaves you scratching your head, even when the words themselves seem utterly straightforward. Today, we’re dissecting one such deceptively simple yet brilliantly nuanced crossword clue: “Tends (toward)“.
At first glance, this crossword clue might seem like an open-and-shut case. “Tends” is a common word, but its very commonality is where the genius of the clue lies. It possesses multiple meanings, and a seasoned crossword constructor knows precisely how to leverage that ambiguity to guide (or misguide!) solvers. This particular crossword clue, however, gives us a crucial assist with its parenthetical “toward.” That small addition isn’t just flavour text; it’s a vital signpost, steering us away from potential pitfalls and directly toward the intended meaning.
Without the parenthetical, our minds might immediately leap to “tends” in the sense of caring for something. We’d be thinking of someone who “tends a garden,” or “tends to a child.” If that were the case, potential answers for the crossword clue might include words like CARES, NURTURES, or even MINDS. But the moment “(toward)” enters the picture, these interpretations are effectively disqualified. The constructor, in their infinite wisdom, is telling us: “Ignore the ‘care for’ meaning. Focus on the ‘inclines’ or ‘leans’ aspect.”
So, with the “care for” meaning firmly out of the picture, we’re left to ponder “tends” as in “has a propensity for,” “moves in a certain direction,” or “is inclined to.” This is where the real work of solving this crossword clue begins. We’re looking for a verb, likely in the third-person singular present tense, that conveys a sense of leaning, heading, or gravitating towards something. It implies a natural inclination or a default trajectory.
When you encounter this crossword clue in a puzzle, your first instinct should be to consider synonyms for “lean,” “incline,” or “gravitate.” What words describe a natural bent or a habitual movement in a particular direction? Think about situations where something isn’t forced but rather naturally drifts or moves that way. The answer to this crossword clue will encapsulate that precise meaning.
Another crucial aspect of solving this type of crossword clue is paying attention to the surrounding letters. Crosswords are a grid, after all, and the interlocking nature of the answers is your greatest ally. If you’re stuck on “Tends (toward),” look to the intersecting words. Do they provide letters that suggest a particular spelling? Are there common prefixes or suffixes that might be hinted at? Perhaps a ‘P’ or an ‘R’ from a crossing word could unlock the solution for this specific crossword clue.
Consider the subtle differences between verbs that imply movement and verbs that imply inclination. The clue isn’t necessarily asking for a word that
is
moving toward something right now, but rather one that
has a tendency
to do so. This distinction is subtle but important for cracking many a tricky crossword clue. It’s about the inherent nature or habitual direction, rather than an active, immediate motion.
The beauty of a crossword clue like “Tends (toward)” is how it tests your vocabulary and your ability to parse context. It’s a fantastic example of how a constructor can use a common word, add a small, seemingly minor clarification, and completely redefine the challenge. Mastering such clues hones your linguistic precision and your lateral thinking, making you a sharper solver with every grid you tackle. Keep these distinctions in mind the next time this clever crossword clue appears, and you’ll be well on your way to a satisfying solve!
Available Answers:
LEANS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Friday’s Daily By Zhou Zhang / Ed. Patti Varol