attach

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "attach" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb when referring to things such as documents, pictures, or other objects being attached to a different object or document. For example, "I attached the file to the email I sent earlier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While the practice has mainly been restricted to finishing off performances of actors who died midway through filming – such as Paul Walker in Fast and Furious 7 – it has also been utilised by advertisers, keen to attach famous faces to their brands.

The Guardian

Attach a piece of elastic or string at each hole, adjusting it to fit the wearer Show us your Dollys and Jacks – we'd love to see pictures of what they get up to.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Long after phrenology was widely discredited, Aboriginal skulls were still sought and displayed with the same benign sentiment that one might attach to animal remains.

The Guardian

It could have chosen to attach probes to the North American end of the cables and documents shown to the Guardian by Edward Snowden suggest that key elements of the Tempora filtering process were designed by the NSA.

The Guardian

Gaffer tape can be used in a myriad of situations, like making double-sided tape to attach last-minute signage or de-marking step edges (provided the colours contrast).

The Guardian

The dentist, it turned out, had decided to give her a full set of crowns – false teeth that attach to the plugs left behind after you've filed down the natural tooth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Because Gabi is married to a gangster (Mads Mikkelsen), Charlie finds himself entangled with Romanian mobsters whose preferred method of punishment is to attach enemies to one another with superglue that rips off their skin if they try to unstick themselves.

The New York Times

"In fact if you have to attach urgency to the task of dealing with one or the other, the more urgent task would be Hezbollah and Iran - Assad has almost become a passive player here.

The Guardian

Even as a dad – even as someone who doesn't have to yank out a private part and let it swing around in public while a crying baby tries to attach his mouth to it like a refuelling jet – coffee shops are a nightmare of potentially botched etiquette.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Sea to Summit X-cup is clever and collapsible – although there's no obvious way to attach it to a rucksack without a bit of DIY.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How can holograms be shown in Standard Def??" Updated at 8.18pm AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 8.14pm AEST11:14 Forgot to attach tweet... here it is: — NRL (@NRL) May 28 , 2014Celebrating 100 games of #Origin - past and present.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attach" in technical writing, ensure the method of attachment is clear. For instance, specify whether something is attached via screws, glue, or software.

Common error

Avoid using "attach" when "associate" or "attribute" is more appropriate for abstract connections. For example, instead of "attach significance to this idea", consider "attribute significance to this idea".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attach" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the action of joining or connecting something to something else, either physically or figuratively. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "attach" is used to describe the action of joining or connecting something, either physically or conceptually. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and very common in English. Its use spans across various registers, from formal scientific publications to everyday news articles. When using "attach", consider alternatives like "affix", "connect", or "append" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is important to make sure that "attach" is used to describe real connections. The usage is versatile and essential across diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

affix

Focuses on physically fastening or joining something.

connect

Highlights a general link or relationship between things.

append

Implies adding something as a supplement or addition.

fasten

Emphasizes the securing of one item to another.

join

Suggests bringing two or more things together.

link

Indicates a connection, often in a non-physical way, such as linking ideas.

associate

Highlights a mental connection or relationship.

attribute

Focuses on assigning a quality or characteristic to something.

impute

Suggests assigning responsibility or blame.

ascribe

Similar to attribute, but often used in more formal contexts.

FAQs

How to use "attach" in a sentence?

You can use "attach" to describe physically connecting objects, like "Attach the sensor to the device". It can also mean attributing importance, as in "I "attach great importance to" his opinion".

What can I say instead of "attach" when referring to files in an email?

In the context of email, alternatives to "attach" include "include", "add", or "upload". For example, "I will "include the document" in my reply".

Which is correct, "attach to" or "attach with"?

"Attach to" is generally correct when indicating a connection. "Attach with" might be used when specifying the means of attachment, such as "Attach the poster with tape".

What's the difference between "attach" and "append"?

"Attach" generally means to connect or fasten something. "Append" means to add something as a supplement or an addition, typically to the end of a document or file. So, you might "attach a file" to an email, or "append a note" to a document.