Explanations:Delexical verbs are a specific type of verb used in English to express general states or habitual actions. They are often used with adjectives or nouns to convey a sense of regularity or tendency. Common delexical verbs include "tend to," "tend," "keep," and "would." Each of these verbs has a slightly different nuance and usage.
In the given sentence, "She tends to employ attractive young men," the verb "tends to" is used to describe a habitual action. The phrase "tends to" indicates a general tendency or a regular behavior. It suggests that the subject (she) has a habit or a pattern of employing attractive young men, but it does not imply a strict or unchanging rule. Instead, it conveys a general observation or a recurring action.
Let's break down the usage of "tends to" in this context:
1. **Habitual Action**: "Tends to" is used to describe a habitual or regular action. It suggests that the action occurs frequently or repeatedly, but not necessarily every time. For example, "She tends to arrive late for meetings" means that she often arrives late, but not always.
2. **General Tendency**: "Tends to" can also express a general tendency or a general observation. It is used to describe a pattern or a general behavior. For example, "He tends to be more relaxed on weekends" means that he is generally more relaxed on weekends, but it does not imply that he is always relaxed on weekends.
3. **Present Tense**: "Tends to" is used in the present tense to describe current habits or tendencies. It is not used to describe past habits, which would require a different verb form, such as "would" or "used to."
Other delexical verbs like "would" and "keeps" can also be used to describe habitual actions, but they have slightly different connotations:
1. **Would**: "Would" is used to describe habitual actions in the past. For example, "She would employ attractive young men" suggests that she had a habit of employing attractive young men in the past, but it does not describe a current habit.
2. **Keeps**: "Keeps" can also be used to describe a habitual action, but it often implies a continuous or ongoing action. For example, "She keeps employing attractive young men" suggests that she continues to employ attractive young men, but it does not necessarily convey the same sense of general tendency as "tends to."
In conclusion, "tends to" is the most appropriate delexical verb in this context because it correctly expresses a general tendency or habitual action in the present tense. It fits the context of the sentence, indicating a regular or habitual behavior of employing attractive young men.