attachment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'attachment' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is connected to something else, such as a document sent along with an email. For example, "Please find the attachment I sent with my email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such a situation can arise from early attachment issues with their first primary caregiver.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking to reporters as he arrived for work on his motorbike, Varoufakis said: "When we shake hands and say this means A and not B, it means A and not B. Unfortunately, the other side has not shown such an attachment to keeping its word.

The Guardian - Business

Cameron and Hilton have been friends for 20 years but as the concepts they worked on, such as the "big society", have failed to make an impact, so their professional attachment has waned, the authors write.

The Guardian

Certainly not prime minister Abbott, who has spent two election campaigns with his hand on his heart denying any belief in or attachment to those laws.

The Guardian

"I contacted the local police force and got an attachment with them for three days, where I buddied up with a scene of crime officer.

The Guardian - Money

Later, he emailed me as an attachment the section of the glossary covering those words beginning with the letter "b".

The Guardian - Books

We respect the emotional attachment of Bulgarians to Russia and the Russian culture, but we differentiate those from the political relations and we remain loyal and active allies in Nato and the EU".

The Guardian

Any object you can conceive of having a USB attachment poking out of it is for sale, along with several hundred thousand that you can't.

The Guardian - Travel

But, anyway, humans are messy: the attraction, lust and attachment phases get blended together".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wolski praised the party's strong attachment to "Catholicism and traditional and historical values that matter to Poles".

The Guardian

But a frank assessment of character caused less reaction then revelations about his attachment to the wartime Vichy regime and his hatred for De Gaulle, whom he described as a "new Hitler", thus offending the Free French leader so deeply that De Gaulle joined the Nazis and Vichy in banning Saint-Exupéry's writings.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attachment" in the context of email, always specify the file name or type to ensure clarity for the recipient. For example, say "Please find the report as an attachment" instead of just "Please find the attachment".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "attachment" when describing human relationships. While grammatically correct, phrases like "I have an attachment to this person" can sound clinical or detached. Instead, opt for more emotive language like "I care deeply for this person" or "I am very fond of this person".

Linguistic Context

The word "attachment" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of attaching, a thing that attaches, or an emotional bond. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as demonstrated in the numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "attachment" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, ranging from physical connections to emotional bonds and digital files. As Ludwig highlights, the word is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, nuanced word choices, such as opting for "fondness" or "emotional bond", may be preferable in less formal, emotional contexts, and its overuse must be avoided to have a better clarity. To ensure your writing is clear and precise, specify the type of "attachment" you are referring to, whether it's a file, a physical component, or an emotional connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

connection

A more general term indicating a relationship or association, without specifying the nature or strength of the bond.

emotional bond

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of connection, rather than physical or technical.

emotional investment

Focuses on the emotional resources dedicated to a person, object, or cause.

tie

Implies a bond or connection that can be emotional, social, or legal.

fondness

Highlights the feeling of affection or liking, omitting the sense of obligation or necessity sometimes implied by "attachment".

devotion

Suggests a strong feeling of love or loyalty, often implying dedication and commitment.

dependence

Highlights the reliance on someone or something for support or fulfillment.

linkage

Emphasizes the act of connecting or linking things together, suitable in technical or logistical contexts.

adhesion

Describes the state of sticking or clinging to something, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

file enclosure

Specifically refers to a file included with an email or other digital communication.

FAQs

How can I use "attachment" in a sentence?

You can use "attachment" in a variety of contexts, such as "The email had an attachment" or "She has a strong attachment to her family."

What can I say instead of "attachment" when referring to files?

Instead of "attachment", you could use "file enclosure", "attached file", or simply "file" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "attachment" and "connection"?

"Attachment" often implies a stronger emotional bond or physical connection, while "connection" can be a more general term referring to any type of link or association.

Is it correct to say "I have an attachment to this object"?

While grammatically correct, saying "I have an attachment to this object" can sound formal. In everyday conversation, you might prefer "I'm fond of this object" or "I'm attached to this object".