tend [to]

Question

The farmers who survived the deadly cyclone are struggling to tend [to] their crops.Is 'to' optional?Thanks.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

Hmm. I think so. I'd get the meaning either way. I think I prefer it without.

New2grammar · Answer

Thanks.

CalifJim · Answer

New2grammarIs 'to' optional?

Yes. With to, it's intransitive definition 2 below; without to, it's transitive definition 2 (a or b).

intransitive verb1archaic : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listen2: to pay attention : apply oneself <tend to your own affairs> <tend to our correspondence>3: to act as an attendant : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serve <tended to his wife>4obsolete : transitive verb1archaic : to attend as a servant2 a: to apply oneself to the care of : watch over <tended her sick father>b: to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer <tend the sheep> c: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cultivate, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foster d: to manage the operations of : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind <tend the store> <tend the fire>3: to stand by (as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (as fouling)

CJ

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