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Grammar fix

pander to

indulge someone's weaknesses or desires (disapproving)

to do or say what someone wants, especially when it is not good for them, in order to please them or get something from them; often used to criticise people or organisations who give in to others' unreasonable wishes or lower standards to gain approval or advantage.

phrasal verbC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Some politicians pander to public fears instead of addressing real issues.society
  • In my opinion, the media often panders to sensationalism rather than providing balanced information, which can negatively affect public understanding.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: pander to + noun/pronoun

WrongPoliticians often pander voters.

RightPoliticians often pander to voters.

Always 'pander TO' someone.

Patternpander to + noun/pronoun

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The newspaper caters excessively to the baser instincts of its readers.

Natural The paper just panders to its readers' worst instincts.

'Pander to' carries the disapproval in one verb; the long paraphrase spells it out clumsily.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • pander to
    pander tothe crowdvotersthe lowest common denominator

Don't confuse it

Unlike more neutral verbs like 'cater to' or 'respond to', 'pander to' always carries a negative judgement, suggesting that someone is encouraging or indulging negative qualities or desires for their own benefit.

Try it in Daily Speak →