"tend to do" 是动词性复合谓语。
在英语中,动词性复合谓语共有4种形式,“动词 + 动词不定式”是其中之一。赵俊英老师在《现代英语语法》一书中对“动词 + 动词不定式”这种复合谓语作了以下的介绍(p.815):
动词 + 动词不定式 (v. + inf.)
用于本句型的动词本身具有一定的词义,但不能单独用来表达一个完整的意义,必须同不定式结合起来才能使其意义完整。所以这类动词又被称为半助动词(Semi-auxiliary)。常见的这类动词有 appear, chance, come, fail, get, happen, seem, tend, turn out等。如:
The survey appears to have revealed some interesting facts. 调查似乎已揭示出一些令人感兴趣的事实。
I seem to remember meeting him somewhere. 我似乎记得曾在某个地方见过他。
If you happen to see him, please tell him about it. 如果你恰好见到他,请将此事告诉他。
We chanced to meet in the park that morning. 那天上午我们恰好在公园相遇。
They have failed to give any answer. 他们未给予答复。
Too much smoking tends to injure the voice. 吸烟过多容易坏嗓子。
Man has come to control and use electricity. 人类终于控制并应用电。
You'll get to like the work. 你会慢慢喜欢上这工作的。
Though it looked like rain this morning, it has turned out to be a fine day. 虽然今天早晨看上去要下雨的样子,结果却是个大晴天。