able to attend

USAGE SUMMARY

"able to attend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone's ability or availability to attend an event, such as a party or a meeting. For example, "I hope you are able to attend my birthday party this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Children wouldn't be able to attend school".

The Guardian

I was able to attend Atta's funeral.

The New York Times

I'll still be able to attend council meetings.

The Guardian

Neither Sharapova nor Vujacic will be able to attend.

The New York Times

Will her daughter be able to attend college?

The New York Times

"Students need to be able to attend a local school".

The New York Times

The Mexican students were able to attend both.

The Guardian - Music

They will be able to attend school more often.

The Guardian

He wanted everyone to be able to attend.

The Guardian - Sport

The public will be able to attend games free, too.

The New York Times

I wish I were able to attend more.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, clarify the specific criteria that enable someone to be "able to attend". For example, state "Applicants must be able to attend all weekly sessions" rather than just "Applicants must be able to attend".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about not being "able to attend" without specifying the cause. Instead of saying "I am not able to attend", specify the reason: "I am not able to attend due to a prior commitment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to attend" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing the subject's capability or possibility of being present at a specific event or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to attend" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate someone's capacity or opportunity to be present at an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, its use in formal settings can be enhanced by specifying the enabling criteria. Remember to clearly state the reasons for being unable to attend when the situation arises, and consider using synonyms like "permitted to attend" or ""eligible to attend"" to add formality or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of attending

Replaces "able" with a synonym, "capable", emphasizing the inherent ability to attend.

permitted to attend

Shifts the focus to permission rather than ability, implying authorization to attend.

in a position to attend

Indicates that circumstances allow attendance, highlighting situational readiness.

free to attend

Suggests having the availability or lack of obligations necessary for attendance.

eligible to attend

Implies meeting the necessary requirements or qualifications for attendance.

available to be present

Focuses on presence rather than attendance, expanding to contexts beyond formal events.

in attendance

A more concise version, implying that one is already present or expected to be.

can be present

Expresses possibility of presence, similar to "able to attend" but with a slightly different structure.

has the capacity to attend

Emphasizes the resources or bandwidth available for attending, rather than simple ability.

has the opportunity to attend

Highlights that a chance or opening exists for attendance, possibly emphasizing uniqueness or scarcity.

FAQs

How can I use "able to attend" in a sentence?

You can use "able to attend" to describe someone's capacity or opportunity to be present at an event. For instance, "She is "eligible to attend" the conference" or "I am not "available to attend" the meeting this week".

What is a more formal way to say "able to attend"?

A more formal alternative to "able to attend" could be "permitted to attend" or ""eligible to attend"", depending on the context. These options convey a sense of authorization or qualification.

Is there a difference between "able to attend" and "can attend"?

While "able to attend" and "can attend" are often interchangeable, "able to attend" sometimes implies a more specific assessment of capability or circumstance, whereas "can attend" is a more general statement of possibility. In most cases, the distinction is negligible.

What phrases express the opposite of "able to attend"?

Phrases expressing the opposite of "able to attend" include "unable to attend", "not "free to attend"", or "incapable of attending". The specific phrase depends on whether the reason for non-attendance is due to lack of ability, opportunity, or permission.