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Prepositions after adjectives

tender for, to, in, with, or of?

Tender to and tender with are common in emotional contexts. Tender in describes manner or expression. Tender of appears in formal or literary English. Tender for is uncommon with the adjective tender.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with tender?

Use tender to for affection toward someone, tender with for gentle behaviour, and tender in for manner or expression. Tender of is formal and literary. Tender for is generally not used after the adjective tender.

She was tender to her children.
He is always tender with injured animals.
She spoke in a tender in tone and gesture.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
tender to + person

Showing affection

Use tender to for warm or affectionate feelings toward someone.

He remained tender to his ageing mother.
2
tender with + person/animal

Showing gentle behaviour

Use tender with for gentle treatment in actions and behaviour.

The nurse was tender with the patient.
3
tender in + manner

Describing style or expression

Use tender in to describe a gentle quality in speech, expression, or behaviour.

She was tender in her reply.
4
tender of + body part/emotion

Formal or literary use

Tender of is formal and often appears in literary descriptions.

He was tender of heart.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
tender to
She is tender to her grandchildren.
showing affection toward someone
tender with
He is tender with animals.
gentle in behaviour
tender in
She was tender in her words.
gentle in manner or expression
tender of
He was tender of spirit.
formal or literary description
tender for
The phrase tender for is not standard after the adjective tender.
generally avoided in modern English

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using tender for after the adjective

Tender for is not a normal adjective pattern.

✕ She is tender for children. ✓ She is tender with children.

Confusing to and with

To focuses on feeling; with focuses on behaviour.

✕ He was tender to the injured dog during treatment. ✓ He was tender with the injured dog during treatment.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She has always been tender ___ her younger brother.
2. The doctor was tender ___ the frightened child.
3. He was tender ___ heart.

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Frequently asked questions

Is tender for ever correct?

It is not a standard modern pattern after the adjective tender.

What is the difference between tender to and tender with?

Tender to focuses on emotion or affection, while tender with focuses on behaviour.

Is tender of old-fashioned?

Yes. It is mainly literary or formal in modern English.

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